Transcript:

Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing larks. There are around 100 species in the true lark family, although new information may reveal new species: they're often similar in appearance and can be difficult to tell apart from sight alone. Lark diversity is concentrated in Africa where a majority of species live, but these birds also fly over Eurasia. There is also a single species observable in North, Central, and the northern tip of South America along with a second outlier species in Australia. Larks are terrestrial birds. They're most often found on the ground in open habitats from sea level to mountain elevations. Their favorite spots include scattered trees, grasslands, forest edges, and other areas with simple foliage.

Larks are most frequently colored to match the ground of their surrounding environment. They come in brown to red with streaks to help break up their outline. Some species also have patches of black and white and many have crests on their head including the horned lark that lives in the Americas! These are small birds that range from 5 to 9 inches (13-23 cm) in body length. Male and female larks are usually similar in color and their patterns often match, although males may be slightly larger or more brightly colored in some species. Their cryptic colors help them blend into the habitat, especially while nesting.

Larks nest on the ground or very near to it. Their nest is shaped like a cup and it's made of dead grass. Each season they'll have a handful of eggs depending on the species. In species that live in warmer regions, they may even have more than one clutch of eggs! The eggs are incubated for about two weeks, and, after they hatch, the young are primarily fed insects for their protein needs. It's not unheard of for adults to also eat insects but their primary diet consists of seeds. Lark beaks are shaped according to their diet preferences. Some have a thick bill for breaking open seeds, and others have a long bill for digging in the dirt.

Larks also have a long spur on each of their feet which is believed to help with stability while they stand on the ground and forage. Outside of the breeding season, larks form large flocks and forage together. This may help them avoid predation as there's often safety in numbers. Most frequently these birds run from threats rather than fly away. Their predators include falcons, owls, shrikes, skunks, squirrels, cats and more. Many larks are short lived with a 2 to 5 year lifespan on average.

These birds are most well known for their song. They're frequently referenced in classic poetry and literature. Larks are early risers, so they're most frequently heard in the morning hours. Here's an example of how they sound: (lark song)

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