From Opus

Lullula arborea

Photo by RHAYES
Photo taken: Lincolnshire, UK.

[edit] Identification

13.5-15 cm. Brown above and pale below, white superciliar meeting on the nape, well developed crest on crown which is not always conspicuous. In flight it shows a short tail and short broad wings. The tail is tipped with white.

[edit] Distribution

Europe including European part of Russia, Caucasus, the Middle East, and the mountains of north Africa north of the Sahara.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized¹: arborea and pallida; some authorities include a third subspecies familiaris².

[edit] Habitat

Open heath with some trees, and other open woodlands, especially those with pines and light soil.

[edit] Behaviour

The nest is on the ground; 6 eggs are laid.

The diet includes seeds supplemented with insects in the breeding season.

[edit] References

1. Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
2. Avibase presumably based on Dickinson, Edward C. (ed.). 2003. The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. 3rd ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691117010

[edit] External Links