Skylark

Woodlark

How to tell them apart?

The first thing to understand is that Woodlarks will rarely be seen on farmland. They are birds of heaths and open forests. If you find a lark singing on farmland, it is 99% likely a Skylark in this country. Both of these birds, when singing, are likely to be in the air above you, they will often be far above you (but the videos below try to prove me wrong!)

When you get a good view there are four main identification features, apart from song, to note.

The Woodlark, a specially protected species, has a very short tail, noticeably stumpy. The broad wings have no white trailing edge, and the tail has just white tips. When on the ground or on a bush you can see a mark on the edge of the wing white black and white. (This photo shows it but it's very hard to see in flight).

The Skylark is mainly on farmland but can also be found on heaths. It has white edges to its tail and white trailing edges on its wings. It has a longer tail, looking proportionate rather than too short. The wing lacks the black and white pattern shown on the Woodlark.

The songs are magical but different - the Woodlark is my favourite birdsong.

Here is the sound of the Skylark - 

And the Woodlark -