Collared Lark
Amirafra collaris
An elegant lark with rich rusty upperparts and white feather fringes that create a scaly effect. The complete dark band across the chest and the dark streaking on the nape are unique; the white eyebrow and throat create a bold face pattern. Underparts are pale and clean. Resident in dry thorn savanna on red sands. Its long whistle “wheeeeooooo” is sometimes accompanied with a wing-clapping display in which the bird rises 10–15 meters before parachuting back to the ground. Foxy Lark is similar to Collared in shape and coloration but lacks the dark breast and neck markings.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Amirafra collaris
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1896
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Mirafra
Range and habitat
The collared lark has a considerable range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 530,000 km2 over an area from eastern Ethiopia and Somalia to central Kenya.<p>Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Coqui Francolin
Campocolinus coqui
Small, beautifully-patterned francolin. Males have a rufous head, while females have an elaborately-striped head, and both sexes show dark barring on the belly. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, ranging from pure grassland to lush woodland. A generally shy and retiring species that sometimes sits out boldly when calling. Gives two distinctive calls: a repeated “co-qui” and a short series of cackling notes. Smaller than most other francolins, and bigger than quail and buttonquail. Its plumage pattern is distinctive when seen well.
Buff-shouldered Widowbird
Euplectes psammacromius
Breeding males are mostly black with a long tail. There is a large yellow-and-buff patch on the shoulder. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown, though males retain their colorful shoulder. Found locally in montane marsh, heath, and grassland. Vocalizations include low rasps and twittering and sizzling calls. Male separated from Marsh Widowbird by its more extensive buff shoulder patch. Female can be confused with several other species, but is usually identified by association with buff-shouldered males.
Malleefowl
Leipoa ocellata
Heavily-built grayish ground-dwelling bird with short heavy legs, gray neck and chest, and strongly marked (camouflaged) back and tail. Scarce endemic resident of semi-arid open forest (typically the multi-stemmed "Mallee" Eucalypt vegetation). Builds large nest-mounds from leaf litter. Most sightings are of single birds or pairs.
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