Sclater's Lark
Spizocorys sclateri
A medium-sized, compact lark with a bulbous head and a chunky pale bill that appears upturned. The plumage is buffy-brown, especially the underparts, and the eye is underlined with a dark stripe that has a diagnostic tear-drop mark. Pairs inhabit stark, stony plains with scattered small shrubs and occasional grass, where they flip stones and extract seeds from the bases of grass leaf-sheaths. The species is most often seen visiting waterholes in the heat of the day. Calls include a simple chirping “treeep” given repeatedly in flight and on the ground, often betraying its presence.
Identification
Sclater's lark (Spizocorys sclateri) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Taxonomy
The common name and the Latin binomial commemorate the British zoologist Philip Lutley Sclater.<p>Sclater's lark was originally placed within the genus Calandrella and some authorities continue to recognise that classification. This species is alternately named as Sclater's short-toed lark.
- Scientific name
- Spizocorys sclateri
- Authority
- (Shelley, 1902)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Spizocorys
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Sclater's lark is classified as Near Threatened due to its scarce and localised population in the Nama Karoo.
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Lesser Roadrunner
Geococcyx velox
Slightly smaller version of the familiar cartoon Greater Roadrunner, but usually the two species do not occur in the same places. Favors dry brushy woodland and overgrown weedy fields in tropical lowlands and foothills. Can be very elusive, but at other times runs out in the road or sits quietly sunning itself on a fence post or bush top in the early morning. Note that the center of the throat and breast are plain rich buffy, without the dense dark streaking of Greater Roadrunner.
Rusty Laughingthrush
Pterorhinus poecilorhynchus
Beautiful songbird, bright rust-orange above, gray below, with white undertail coverts and blue skin around the eye. Inhabits montane forests, from which it descends into foothills in winter. Social and noisy; gives a wide range of different whistling, hooting, and clucking noises.
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
The chunkiest and thickest-billed phalarope. Of the three phalaropes, Red is the least likely to be seen inland. Breeding females are brighter and more contrasting than males: note bright body the color of tomato juice, with black cap and white cheek. Males are colored like watered-down tomato juice, with a streaky cap. Also look for yellow bill with dark tip. Nonbreeding is much less colorful: smooth gray above and white below with a black ear patch. Juveniles are dark above and stained with buffy tones; they molt quickly into nonbreeding plumage. Breeds on Arctic tundra. Primarily found on the open ocean during migration and winter; rare inland. Usually in small flocks, but can gather in larger numbers, often in mixed flocks with Red-necked Phalarope. Red is best distinguished by larger size, thicker bill, and slightly paler, smoother-looking upperparts.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.