White-winged lark

White-winged lark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Alauda
Species: A. leucoptera
Binomial name
Alauda leucoptera
Pallas, 1811
Synonyms
  • Melanocorypha leucoptera
  • Melanocorypha sibirica

The white-winged lark (Alauda leucoptera) is a species of lark found from southern Ukraine through Kazakhstan to south-central Russia.[2] It is partially migratory, with birds tending to move south in winter. The southernmost birds are mainly resident. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

Taxonomy and systematics

The current genus name is from the Latin for lark. The specific leucoptera means "white-winged", from leukos, "white", and pteron, "wing".[3] Formerly, the white-winged lark was classified as belonging to the genus Melanocorypha until moved to Alauda in 2014.[4]

Description

This lark is large and robust, usually 17–19 cm in length, with a wingspan of 35 cm. Both sexes weigh about 44 g. In flight, it is unmistakable due to its striking wing pattern: black outer flight feathers, white inner flight feathers, and the rest of the wing chestnut. Its body is dark-streaked grey above and whitish below. The adult male has a chestnut crown, but the sexes are otherwise similar.

Vocalisations

Its song is a more melodious version of the Eurasian skylark's.

Behaviour and ecology

The white-winged lark lives in dry, open steppe and plains. It nests on the ground, laying three to eight eggs per clutch. Its diet consists of seeds, and insects during the breeding season. It is gregarious during the winter.

Threats

Habitat destruction due to ploughing is one of the main threats to the white-winged lark.

Status

Although its population has declined significantly, it is still relatively common, and is not considered to be at risk.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2012). "Melanocorypha leucoptera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Nicators, reedling & larks « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  3. ↑ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 225, 247. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  4. ↑ "Taxonomy 4.1 to 4.4 « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
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