Spike-heeled Lark
Chersomanes albofasciata
A sociable lark with a decurved bill, upright posture, and a diagnostic short white-tipped tail. The plumage is highly variable, but the throat is always paler than the underparts, which vary from buff to rusty; eastern populations are darker than western ones. Small groups of 3 to 10 birds are resident in desert, semi-desert, and grassland, where they forage for invertebrates and seeds in open country with sparse low bushes. The species flies low with a bobbing flight pattern, and generally for distances of only 10 to 50 meters, before dropping suddenly to the ground. Gives a characteristic quavering trill “trrrri-trrri-trrri-trrri” and other soft contact calls.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Chersomanes albofasciata
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Chersomanes
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-fronted Coot
Fulica rufifrons
Fairly common coot of lowlands. Found on fresh to brackish ponds and lakes; also marshy wetlands with little open water. Often near cover, rarely far out on open water. Walks on shore more than other coots. As well as the diagnostic dark red forehead shield and bright yellow bill, note the big white wedges under the tail, which with behavior, often suggest a gallinule as much as a coot. Juvenile is dark overall with whitish throat and dull bill and shield. Often occurs in same areas as Red-gartered Coot.
Pink Cockatoo
Cacatua leadbeateri
Distinctive cockatoo found in a wide variety of habitats across inland Australia, typically favoring dry woodlands, where it feeds on seeds. Relatively small, with pink underparts and white upperparts. Magnificent, long white crest has colorful band of red at base, in subspecies leadbeateri inset with another band of yellow. In flight, pink underwings evident. Often observed feeding on the ground beside roads. Call a wavering, high-pitched note.
Bare-headed Laughingthrush
Melanocichla calva
Thickset, dark-gray-brown laughingthrush with a bright-candy-red bill, broad blue moustache patches, and a sickly-looking bare yellow crown. Endemic to the highlands of north-central Borneo. Found in primary submontane and montane forests. Forages in small groups or with mixed flocks, clambering and hopping about in vines and tangles of vegetation in middle levels of forest. Unlike Sunda and Chestnut-hooded laughingthrushes, Bare-headed does not readily approach people. Song is an owl-like series of hollow hoots, interspersed with upswept yelps when duetting.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.