Alauda

Taxobox
name = "Alauda"


image_caption = Skylark
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Alaudidae
genus = "Alauda"
genus_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "A. arvensis"
"A. japonica"
"A. gulgula"
"A. razae"

"Alauda" is a genus of larks with three species found across much of Europe, Asia and in the mountains of north Africa, and one species (the Raso Lark) endemic to the islet of Raso in the Cape Verde Islands.

These birds are 14-18 cm long and live in cultivation, heath, natural steppe and other open habitats. Their characteristic songs are delivered in flight.They are fairly undistinguished: streaked brown above and pale below, with a short, blunt, erectile crest. In flight, they display a short tail and short broad wings. The tail and the rear edge of the wings are edged with white.

Their diet consists of seeds, supplemented with insects in the breeding season. They nest on the ground in tufts of grass, with 3-6 eggs per clutch. They form flocks when not breeding.

pecies in taxonomic order

* Skylark, "Alauda arvensis"
* Japanese Skylark, "Alauda japonica"
* Oriental Skylark, "Alauda gulgula"
* Raso Skylark, "Alauda razae"

References

* Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant, "Collins Bird Guide" ISBN 0-00-219728-6