Some potential synonyms for the phrase "alights upon" include "lands on," "settles on," "perches on," "descends on," "drops onto," "touches down on," and "comes to rest on." All of these synonyms express a similar idea of something or someone arriving or settling onto a surface, whether it be a bird on a branch or a person on a park bench. Depending on the context, each of these synonyms may be more or less appropriate than others, so it's important to consider the nuances of meaning surrounding each one before selecting the most fitting word.