Short-clawed Lark
Certhilauda chuana
A long, slim pipit-like lark with a slender bill, a bold white eyebrow, and warm-and-dark spangled upperparts. Pairs forage for invertebrates in open thorny savanna, preferring short-cropped grass and open grazed fields. In a characteristic display the male flies low to the ground before flying directly up 8 to 10 meters, then closing its wings and plummeting to the ground while emitting a “weeeeoooo” whistle. It also gives a clear, very high-pitched “tseeet-tsooooe” and other whistles. Its range does not overlap with any of the similar long-billed larks. Rufous-naped Lark differs from Short-clawed Lark by being chunkier, with a crest and a rusty nape and wings; the smaller Sabota Lark is more compact, with bolder facial markings.
Taxonomy
Originally, the short-clawed lark was classified as belonging to the genus Alauda and then Mirafra until moved to Calendulauda. Not all authorities recognize this re-classification from Mirafra.
- Scientific name
- Certhilauda chuana
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1836)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Certhilauda
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The species lays clutches of two or three eggs (average clutch sizes in two studies 2.27-2.75 eggs). The incubation lasts for around 15 days, the longest of any African lark species. After fledging, chicks remain with their parents for 6–8 weeks. There is some variation in nesting strategies in the species, with the eastern population (in South Africa) having numerous broods per breeding season and the western population (in Botswana) breeding once per season.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Elusive pheasant-like ground-dwelling bird, remarkably attractive when seen in good light: bluish gray above, pale gray below, with red bill and legs, pale eye surrounded by blue skin, dark hood and long tail that both show blue and violet tones. Forages on or close to the ground in dense cover of lowland and foothill forests, where it can be difficult to see despite its size. Male gives a haunting call, a long, sonorous whistle that rises at the middle and falls off toward the end.
Northern Royal Albatross
Diomedea sanfordi
Huge albatross of the Southern Ocean; breeds mainly on Chatham Islands in New Zealand, but ranges widely. Especially numerous in Humboldt Current off western South America. Easily separated at a distance from smaller albatrosses by white back. From the Wandering Albatross complex (including Snowy, Tristan, Antipodean, and Amsterdam Albatrosses) by uniformly dark upperwings at all ages with otherwise clean white appearance (including mostly white tail, occasionally with small black markings). This combination of features is never shown by Wandering-types, and Northern Royal never has dirty brownish markings on head and body or a mostly black tail. At close range, note the diagnostic narrow black “lips” on cutting edge of bill, lacking on Wandering-types. Also note slightly longer, thinner bill and shallower forehead, which give Northern Royal a “snoutier” look than Wandering-types. Very similar to Southern Royal Albatross; best separated by uniformly dark upperwings, especially on the leading edge. Youngest Southern Royals can also have dark upperwings with very narrow white leading edge; can require close scrutiny or good photographs to identify with confidence. Range averages further north than Southern Royal, but some overlap.
Palawan Fairy-bluebird
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Spectacular forest-dweller with blood-red eyes, endemic to Palawan and surrounding smaller islands. Stunning male is decked out in midnight black and electric blue. Female is dark turquoise with dark wingtips. Gathers at fruiting and flowering trees. Frequently gives rising “wit!” notes, often in bursts of three, as well as incorporating them into short, melodious song.
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