Monotonous Lark
Mirafra passerina
A medium-small, compact lark with a small bill, a plain face, and an indistinct eyebrow. It has streaky upperparts with a distinct rufous wing panel and a lightly-streaked buffy chest that separates the white throat from the pale belly. Its movement patterns are poorly understood; it is nomadic, appearing unpredictably in large numbers to breed after rain. The male sits on perches, incessantly singing a croaking, gurgling, distinctive four-note “for-syrup-is-sweet” song every 3-5 seconds for hours on end, day and night, earning it its name. When singing, the male stretches its neck, puffs out its whitish throat feathers, and raises a small crest. Occasionally the male rises up 5-10 meters in the air on rapidly flapping wings, sings, and parachutes back down to a prominent perch. The similar Latakoo Lark is smaller than the Monotonous Lark, with a bolder facial pattern including an eyebrow, and a different song and display.
Taxonomy
The alternate names "white-tailed lark" and "white-tailed bush-lark" should not be confused with the species of the same name, Mirafra albicauda. Other alternate names include monotonous bush lark and Southern white-tailed bush-lark.
- Scientific name
- Mirafra passerina
- Authority
- Gyldenstolpe, 1926
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Mirafra
Range and habitat
Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. The range of the monotonous lark is quite broad, extending over six countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its global extent of occurrence is estimated at 1,400,000 km2.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Singing Cisticola
Cisticola cantans
Relatively large and colorful cisticola. Has a rufous panel in the wing, a rufous cap, and a dark band near the tip of the tail. Found in a variety of lush, open habitats, including scrub, overgrown cultivation, and moist savannah. Usually in pairs, and sometimes in small groups. The distinctive vocalizations are a musical “tu-lip” from the male, often accompanied by rasping calls from the female. Similar to Red-faced Cisticola, but separated by the rufous wing panel. Also similar to plain-backed subspecies of Rattling Cisticola, but separated by very different voice.
Pacific Swallow
Hirundo javanica
Common swallow of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, often in cities and towns as well as above fields, lakes, and forests. Adult iridescent blue above and grayish buff below, with orangish throat and forehead. Similar to Barn Swallow, which has longer outer tail feathers and a dark line separating the throat and breast, lacking in Pacific. Frequently perches on telephone lines, often with other swallow species.
Purple-throated Sunangel
Heliangelus viola
Medium-sized hummingbird with a rather limited range in southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Unmistakable: mostly emerald-green with a purple throat and a blue forecrown. Also note the fairly short, straight bill. Sexes similar, but female is slightly duller. Occurs at forest edge and shrubby areas from around 1,800 to 3,300 m. Visits feeders.
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