Dunn's Lark
Eremalauda dunni
A chunky, large-billed lark of desolate sandy deserts and open arid plains in northern Africa. Plain sandy-brown above and paler below, with faint and indistinct white markings on the face. Also note the pinkish bill and the inky black outer tail feathers, most apparent in flight. Runs about on the ground, stopping abruptly. Found singly or in pairs when breeding, gathering in larger groups only during the non-breeding season. The song is a sequence of whistles and dry notes, given both from the ground and in song flight. Generally similar to other dry-country larks such as Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, and Kordofan Lark, but combination of unmarked upperparts, black outer tail feathers, and the uniformly pink and bulbous bill is diagnostic.
Identification
Dunn's lark is a stocky bird with a large head and broad wings. It is 14 to 15 cm long with a wingspan of 25 to 30 cm. The upperparts are pale sandy-brown with darker streaks. The underparts are whitish with some dark streaks on the breast. There is a pale stripe over the eye and a pale ring around it. Birds have dark moustachial and malar stripes and a dark mark under the eye. The short, broad tail is black below while the upperside is black with rusty-brown central feathers and pale outer feathers. The bill is large, heavy and pale pinkish or yellowish in colour. After moulting, the birds become gradually duller and the dark markings fainter as the plumage becomes more worn.<p>The song is a scratchy warbling with short whistling phrases. Males sing either from the ground or in flight, hovering 30 metres or more above the ground.
Taxonomy
Dunn's lark was originally described as belonging to the genus Calendula and has also been classified by some authorities as belonging to the genus Ammomanes.<p>Stark's lark was formerly also classified in the genus Eremalauda; it has since been moved to Spizocorys, leaving Dunn's lark as the only species in the genus Eremalauda.<p>The Arabian lark (E. eremodites) of the Arabian Peninsula was formerly considered conspecific, but was classified as a distinct species by the Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive and by Birdlife International, and later by the International Ornithological Congress.
- Scientific name
- Eremalauda dunni
- Authority
- (Shelley, 1904)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Eremalauda
Range and habitat
In Africa, the species has a scattered range from Mauritania through Mali, Niger and Chad to Sudan.<p>Dunn's larks are found in flat, arid areas with light vegetation such as grass and scattered bushes.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The nest is a scrape on the ground which is lined with vegetation. Two or three eggs are laid and are incubated for 13 to 16 days. They are white with blackish and lavender spots.<p>The diet mainly includes seeds and insects. Birds feed on the ground and sometimes dig for food with their bills. They typically feed in flocks outside the breeding season, moving nomadically in response to rainfall.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Anorrhinus austeni
As the name suggests, a brown bird with a horn (casque) on its bill. Males are more brightly marked, with a white face and light orange-brown underparts. Females are darker brown with an almost black face. Both sexes have pale bills with small casques and a patch of bare blue-gray skin around the eye (smaller and darker in females). Inhabits lowland and hill forests. Gives high-pitched, rather raptor-like screams.
Brown-tailed Chat
Oenanthe scotocerca
A remarkably drab brown bird with slightly paler underparts. Key features include the dark brown tail and the pale, unmarked undertail coverts. Found very locally in rocky areas with bushes and trees. Perches up in trees, but feeds on the ground. Very similar to Sombre Rock Chat, and best distinguished by the pale and unmarked undertail. Also very similar to Blackstart, but has a dark brown rather than black tail. The calls are sparrow-like chirps, and the song is a high-pitched warbling reminiscent of Yellow-bellied Eremomela’s song.
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritus
Small, compact grebe with thin pointed bill. Breeding adults have long golden tuft behind red eye. Also look for rich chestnut neck and body contrasting with darker back. In winter, grayish overall with a black cap and contrasting white cheek. Red eye visible at close range. Breeds on marshy ponds; during migration and winter, often seen on large lakes, bays, and open ocean. Compare with Eared Grebe, especially in winter. Horned is thicker-necked and larger-headed. Also note Horned's flatter crown, white cheek contrasting with dark cap, and pale tip on bill.
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