Alauda arvensis

Characteristics: Predominantly beige-brown plumage, upperside camouflage grey-brown; often continuous striped head feathers with a smaller conspicuous feather cap; lets itself fall to earth like a stone when it has finished singing on the wing

Body length: Less than 20 cm (sparrow length)

Habitat: Open spaces, such as fields, meadows and arable land, tree-less plateaus and dune regions in coastal areas

Interesting facts: The song of the male skylark generally lasts two to three minutes, but sometimes even an hour. For this, a sequence of alternating rolling, chirping or trilling tones is performed, predominantly in flight, after which it falls to the earth like a stone. Even kestrel imitations are made in between. As ground-nesters, this species relies on extensively used meadows and arable land.