Sky Larks

[Tintola]

I just noticed that E Orix mentioned Sky Larks. Any info would be appreciated as I am just about to get some.

[Danny]

They really resent shady aviaries - dry and open as much as possible. Quite flighty at first but settle down ok after a while.

[E Orix]

Without doubt they are the best song bird I have ever kept including Shama,Pekin Robin, Blackbirds etc
If they are too flighty pull a couple of feathers from the 3rd primary towards their body. It is just enough to put them off balance
The male will generally pick a high solid perch and sing his head off so he needs to be able to get off the ground.
They will also display while on the ground in particular where he is trying to get the hen to lay.
As for looking after requirements, they are very easy in summer mine hang around the livefood tray picking up any mealworms
that are dropped, not often seen at the seed trays though it maybe that I wasn't there when they fed from it.

[Tintola]

Thanks "E". Do they take any softfood mixes? You say they are very easy in summer ? What about the rest of the year and what problems might I encounter?
They will be in an reasonably sunny aviary about 6 mtrs X 4 mtrs. with a few other softbills. ( Red Backed Wrens, Bulbuls, Scarlet Honeyeaters and Yellow Throated Scrubwrens. Also a pair of Rose Crowned Fruit Doves. One end is heavily planted for the doves and Scrubwrens, the other end very open and sunny.

[Tintola]

Just reactivating to get an answer from E Orix.

[E Orix]

Tintola
I do sleep
Don't worry about them, as long as there is dry seed on the floor or easy access to the seed tray then they are fine.
They are not a S\softbill but a seed eater just like Quail and treat them like Quail,They need an area of dry soil to walk on
when it is raining,low cover to retire to and breed.
When they have chicks once again treat them like the Turnix group as they look like young Quail for a time and do
like/need some live food.
In the winter time I generally forget they are there but not in the summer though.
Good luck as I would love to see them in more aviaries.

[Jayburd]

they sound very nice! something else to aim for one day, methinks

[jusdeb]

Where do you get these unusual birds ?

Do you need a license ?

Is there enough demand to breed and sell them on ?

Are they expensive ?

How do you find out about their requirements ?

Yes I ask a lot of questions ...its my job

[E Orix]

For Jusdeb
1.They are not easy to come by.Generally a few turn up from Melbourne so when you see them you need to get them there and then.
2. No License required as they are introduced,non Australian.
3.Is there a demand for them? Yes
4.No under $100 per pair
5.easy to look after,if you can keep quail alive then you are half way there. They need a reasonable sized aviary though
with some ground cover
6.If I wasn't a gentleman I could say it is every womans job to ask questions even if the men disagree.
One for me they are different and while easy to keep alive and so on I still think that the more experienced should be the ones to get them going.

[jusdeb]

Thanks Eorix for the information .

I'm just curious and really dont feel up to taking on these sorts of birds . Space and experience being the big issues .