Oriental skylark
The Oriental skylark, also known as the small skylark, is a species of skylark found in the Sino-Indian region and parts of central Asia. Like other skylarks, it is found in open grassland where it feeds on seeds and insects.
Taxonomy and systematics
The Oriental skylark was described by the English soldier and naturalist James Franklin in 1831 and given the binomial name Alauda gulgula. The meaning of the specific epithet gulgula is uncertain but is perhaps a reference to the song as gula is Latin for "throat" or may be the color of the "gulgula" or a sweet which looks like doughnut made in many parts of Central India.Other alternate names for the Oriental skylark include eastern skylark, Indian skylark and lesser skylark.
Subspecies
Thirteen subspecies are recognized: Kashmir skylark or Kashmir small skylark - Meinertzhagen, R & Meinertzhagen, A, 1926: Found in the Pamir Mountains and western HimalayasA. g. inopinata - Bianchi, 1905: Found on the Tibetan Plateau and north-western ChinaA. g. vernayi - Mayr, 1941: Found in the eastern Himalayas and south-western ChinaWestern Oriental skylark or Turkestan small skylark - Severtsov, 1873: Originally described as a separate species. Found from southern Kazakhstan to eastern Iran, Pakistan and north-western IndiaA. g. gulgula - Franklin, 1831: Found from north-central India to Sri Lanka and east to northern IndochinaA. g. dharmakumarsinhjii - Abdulali, 1976: Found in west-central IndiaA. g. australis - Brooks, WE, 1873: Originally described as a separate species. Found in south-western India A. g. weigoldi - Hartert, 1922: Found in central and eastern ChinaA. g. coelivox - R. Swinhoe, 1859: Originally described as a separate species. Found in southern and south-eastern China, northern VietnamA. g. sala - R. Swinhoe, 1870: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Hainan Island A. g. herberti - Hartert, 1923: Found from central and eastern Thailand to southern VietnamA. g. wattersi - R. Swinhoe, 1871: Originally described as a separate species. Found in TaiwanA. g. wolfei - Hachisuka, 1930: Found on LuzonDescription
Oriental skylarks are about long. They have streaked, yellow-brown upper plumage, with white outer tail feathers and a short crest. Both sexes are similar.The Oriental skylark differs from the Eurasian skylark in several aspects. It is a smaller size, with a longer, more pointed bill. The outer tail feathers are more buff, and it lacks the white trailing edge during flight.
Distribution and habitat
This lark breeds across the Sino-Indian region and parts of central Asia. It winters in the southern parts of its range.It is usually found in open areas with short vegetation, such as grasslands, marshes, the edges of lakes, etc. It feeds on seeds and insects. It avoids forested areas, though it may be found in large forest clearings.