Scientific Name: Alauda spinula (unconfirmed)
Common Name: Thornsong Skylarks
Classification: Avian Fauna — Semi-Sentient Exotic Realm Species

Description:
Thornsong Skylarks are small birds inhabiting the chalk uplands and glass plains of the Pale Country. They sing only at high noon, producing songs that weave words into sunlight, visible only to those without shadows. Their plumage is streaked with thorn-like markings, giving rise to their name.

Known Effects on Humans:
Their midday song is said to carry riddled messages and prophetic declarations, accessible only to the shadowless or those untouched by certain curses.
Witnesses report feelings of awe mixed with confusion after hearing their songs, often followed by cryptic dreams or visions.
The Skylarks are used by the Crownless Mirrorbearer as messengers and conveyors of secret knowledge.
They are associated with mourning and sacrifice, often tearing feathers from themselves in ritualistic displays.

Behavioral Notes:
Thornsong Skylarks are solitary or found in small groups, often near ritual sites or places of power.
Their singing is brief but intense, focused on the zenith of the sun’s path.
They display complex behaviors during mourning periods, including self-plucking and silent flights.

Warnings / Dangers:
Prolonged exposure to their song can cause mental fatigue or obsession with riddles and secrets.
Approaching nesting sites is discouraged as it may provoke aggressive or unusual behavior.
Hearing their song without being shadowless is believed to invite misfortune or madness.
Recommended to seek protective wards or ritual cleansings after encounters.