Skylark - Alauda arvensis

The Skylark is a small brown bird, somewhat larger than a Sparrow but smaller than a Starling. It is streaky brown with a small crest, which can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed, and a white-sided tail. The wings also have a white rear edge, visible in flight. It is renowned for its display flight vertically up in the air, and for its song.

Likes open countryside, from lowland farmland to upland moorland. Often inconspicuous on the ground, it is easy to see when in its distinctive song flight.

All year round.

Feeds on seeds and insects.

Although still fairly common in Britain Its recent and dramatic population declines make it a Red List species.

Fairly common but declining in Leicestershire and Rutland.