Lullula arborea
The Woodlark is a small, compact bird with a distinctive short crest on its head. Its plumage is primarily brown, with darker streaks on the back and pale underparts. The tail is short with white outer feathers, visible in flight.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles resembling adults but having a more spotted appearance. The bird's eye-stripe and pale supercilium (eyebrow) are notable field marks.
Their legs and feet are pinkish brown and set well back toward the tail. Their straight, medium-length bill is brownish, with a pinkish base to the lower half (mandible).
Length
15cm to 17cm
Wingspan
27cm to 30cm
Weight
23g to 35g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Brown Pink
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Woodlarks inhabit open woodlands, heathlands, and forest edges across Europe and parts of western Asia. They prefer areas with bare ground or short vegetation interspersed with scattered trees or bushes.
In the UK, they are found mainly in southern England, with some populations in Wales and eastern England. During winter, some birds from northern Europe migrate to milder regions, including southern parts of their range.
The best UK sites include Breckland - Norfolk & Suffolk, New Forest - Hampshire & Wiltshire, Surrey heathlands, RSPB Minsmere and RSPB North Warren - Suffolk.
Up to 3,000 meters
Temperate, Mediterranean
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Woodlark. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you: