81. Sky Lark

Few birds have inspired poets more than the Sky Lark. That persistent bubbly song this bird emits as it flutters high in the sky seem to be the very personification of happiness. Scientifically speaking, it is of course nothing of the sort: like all birdsong, Sky Lark song is no show of exultation, but a very serious business of protecting territory, attracting mates and warning off potential rivals. In Malta we see Sky Larks mostly in autumn as they fly south to Africa, though some try to spend the winter here too. I say “try”, because in this macho country the Sky Lark (M: Alwetta) does not inspire poets but instead inspires men to shoot them down. Sure, the bird is listed as legal “game”, but to civilised people that does not make the gunning down of tiny brown songsters any less a despicable crime against nature.

Text by Victor Falzon, photo by Aron Tanti.

Copyright to Birdlife Malta.