Oriental Skylark, 11/6/2012

Oriental Skylark is categorized as common local species in Taiwan. It's mainly dark brown, which makes a perfect disguise on turfed grounds. At first glance, it looks like a Red-throated Pipit or Richard's Pipit. If you are new to birding, these birds could easily confuse you. According to information on internet, Oriental Skylarks often raise their crest and cry in the breeding season. They can fly strait up, maintain their height and cry at the same time.



Taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge of Taipei City, on 11/6/2012



Taken at the riverside park under Huazhong Bridge of Taipei City, on 11/6/2012, this one never turned around.



Taken at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 6/12/2011, this one caught my attention by crying continuously.



video recorded at Wugu Wetland,on 6/12/2011

Chinese name:	小雲雀
English name:	Oriental Skylark, Small Skylark
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Alauda gulgula
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Alaudidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Taiwan local bird
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, seeds
Habitat:	Grasslands, wastelands
Altitude:	Low altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone in grasslands or wastelands
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 15 cm long. The upperpart is mainly dark brown. Crest is dark brown. Eyebrow stripe is brownish white. Face is yellowish brown, with vertical thin dark brown lines. Eye is surrounded by grayish white. There is a C-shape grayish white mark on side neck, running upward and linking together with eyebrow stripe to form a big C shape. Wing and tail are dark brown, with wide brownish white edges. Throat is grayish white, with unapparent vertical thin dark brown lines. Breast is light yellowish brown, with vertical thin dark brown lines. Belly is grayish white. Summer plumage: Winter plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	Breeding mainly in central Asia (including southern Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan), Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, western and northwestern China.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in southern Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Bangladesh, Myanmar, central or southern or southeastern China, Philippines, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	6/12/2011, 11/6/2012
Location found:	Wugu Wetland of New Taipei City; The riverside park under Huazhong Bridge of Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes: