Eastern Clapper Lark
Corypha fasciolata
A medium-sized, stocky lark with a small bill and barred and scalloped feathers on the head and upperparts, giving it a scaly appearance. The plumage varies geographically, with South African birds being brighter and rustier, and northern birds being duller and grayer. Pairs forage for insects in grassland, often in rocky areas. During the September to February breeding season, the male perches on small rock or low bush, before rising up 3-5 meters in the air with a steady wing-clapping display, then giving a single whistled note “phoooee” and parachuting down to the ground on raised wings. The similar Cape Clapper Lark is smaller than Eastern Clapper Lark, with less rufous coloration on the body and wings, and an accelerating wing-clapping display.
Identification
This lark is a 15-cm-long bird, with a brown crown, rich rufous underparts, and a strong bill. It has brown upperparts (greyer in the north of its range). Its call is an ascending "pooooeeeee".
Taxonomy
The Eastern clapper lark was originally placed in the genus Alauda. This species and the Cape clapper lark were formerly considered conspecific as the clapper lark (M. apiata) until split in 2009. The Eastern clapper lark and the Cape clapper lark are regarded as forming a superspecies with the flappet lark, which is found further to the north. Damara clapper lark is an alternate name for the Cape clapper lark.<p>Five subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Corypha fasciolata
- Authority
- (Sundevall, 1850)
- Order
- Not Found
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Corypha
Range and habitat
The eastern clapper lark is found in much of the drier parts of southern Africa in Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa. It is a species of open grassland and savannah.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The eastern clapper lark is a skulking species, difficult to find when not displaying. It is not gregarious, and individuals tend to be seen in dry habitats feeding on the ground on seeds and insects. The display commences with an ascending flight with wing flapping. It then parachutes down with trailing legs.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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