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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Alaudidae
  4. ›
  5. Alauda
  6. ›
  7. Eurasian Skylark
Eurasian Skylark
Photo · (c) Thomas Wilson, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLinnaeus, 1758

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Native
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Alaudidae
Genus
Alauda

At a glance

The Eurasian Skylark is a small bird, about 16–19 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
16–19 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does an Eurasian Skylark look like?

The Eurasian Skylark is a small bird, about 16–19 cm long and weighing 17–55 g.

The Eurasian skylark is a passerine bird in the lark family, Alaudidae. It is a widespread species found across Europe and the Palearctic with introduced populations in Australia, New Zealand and on the Hawaiian Islands. It is a bird of open farmland and heath, known for the song of the male, which is delivered in hovering flight from heights of 50 to 100 metres. The sexes are alike. It is streaked greyish-brown above and on the breast and has a buff-white belly.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
16–19 cm
Weight
17–55 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see an Eurasian Skylark?

The Eurasian Skylark is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

graeme lunt · Point Wilson VIC 3212, Australia

Call

Jono · Point Wilson VIC 3212, Australia

Call

Maria Duynisveld · Sorell, TAS, Australia

Call

jstarspots · Tasmania, Tunbridge, TAS, AU

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does an Eurasian Skylark eat?

The Eurasian Skylark feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Eurasian Skylark live in Australia?

The Eurasian Skylark is native to Australia, recorded across 34 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning widespread.

BreedingWidespread

Non-breedingNorth AF

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded