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
Scaly-throated Leaftosser
Sclerurus guatemalensis
Retiring inhabitant of humid tropical lowlands. Found singly, hopping on the ground in shady rainforest and tossing leaves with its bill, in search of insects and other morsels. Most often detected when disturbed or flushed, when it gives a sharp, whistled “skweek” call. Note the long and rather slender straight bill. Plumage is dark brown overall with paler mottling (not really scaling) on the throat and breast.
Puerto Rican Tanager
Nesospingus speculiferus
A noisy, gregarious species of middle to high elevation forests where it often forms mixed-species flocks. Typically roosts communally in palm or bamboo thickets. Its brownish back, blackish crown, bright white throat and thickset bill eliminate all other species within range; also note small white spot at base of primaries present on adults. Song is series of sweet two-parted phrases such as “chu-wit, see-you, chu-you.” The common call is a high thin “tsit” or “chit” given singly or in series.
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
Nisaetus nipalensis
A large, bulky eagle of forested hills. The small head, immensely broad wings, and large, often fanned-out tail give this bird the silhouette of a hawk on steroids when in flight. When perched, the thin upright crest separates this species from any hawk. Adults are dark brown above with thick brown bars on the belly and vertical black streaks on the throat. Juveniles are paler below, with brown upperparts showing neat pale-edge feathers and mostly pale head, lightly stippled or streaked with brown.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.