Lark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Larks

Crested Lark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genera
  • Mirafra
  • Pinarocorys
  • Heteromirafra
  • Certhilauda
  • Chersomanes
  • Eremopterix
  • Ammomanes
  • Alaemon
  • Ramphocoris
  • Melanocorypha
  • Calandrella
  • Spizocorys
  • Eremalauda
  • Chersophilus
  • Galerida
  • Pseudalaemon
  • Lullula
  • Alauda
  • Eremophila

Larks are passerine birds of the predominantly Old World family Alaudidae. Only one species, the Shore Lark, has spread to North America, where it is called the Horned Lark.

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. This fact, combined with a willingness to expand into anthropogenic habitats — as long as these are not too intensively managed — has ensured larks a prominent place in literature and music (the skylark being eulogised in "The Lark Ascending" (1914) by Ralph Vaughan Williams, for example).

Larks nest on the ground, laying 2–6 speckled eggs. Like many ground birds, most lark species have long hind claws, which are thought to provide stability while standing.

Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. They feed on insects and seeds.

Contents

  • 1 Species list in taxonomic order
  • 2 See also
  • 3 Reference
  • 4 External links

[edit] Species list in taxonomic order