Gray's Lark
Ammomanopsis grayi
A stocky, pale, plain buffy-white lark that frequently matches the color of the stony terrain it lives in. Its dark-tipped pale gray-blue bill and white-fringed dark tail distinguish it. Pairs and flocks of up to 30 are resident and nomadic in barren gravel plains with sparse cover of grass and shrubs. Mostly at night, it sings a soft tinkling “tink tink” with upslurred “swee” whistles interspersed. Gray’s Lark is most similar to Tractrac Chat, but the latter flicks its wings and has a pale rump; Stark’s Lark has a crest and streaked upperparts, and female sparrow-larks have dark belly patches.
Taxonomy
Gray's lark was originally described as a species within the genus Alauda. It was then placed in the sister genus Ammomanes until re-classified in 2009 by the IOC into the monotypic genus Ammomanopsis. Some authorities still consider the species as Ammomanes grayi. Other names for Gray's lark include Gray's desert lark and Gray's sand lark.<p>Two subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Ammomanopsis grayi
- Authority
- (Wahlberg, 1855)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Ammomanopsis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Singing Quail
Dactylortyx thoracicus
Small, retiring quail of forest understory. Rarely seen, but can be located by listening for noisy rustling in the leaf litter as birds scratch like chickens. Prefers to run away rather than flush. Loud song often reveals its presence, given mainly early and late in the day: first few notes similar to Little Tinamou song, but then breaks into rollicking choruses that can be almost deafening if close by. Male has rusty face and gray body, female colors reversed, with gray face and rusty body.
Tuamotu Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus atyphus
A medium-sized, slender reed warbler with a strong eyebrow and a dark eye-stripe. Rufous morph is rusty brown above and pale below with a cinnamon wash. Gray morph is cold pale gray above and gray-buff below. Found in woodland and open brush, sometimes in gardens and plantations. Call is a low, harsh “chru,” often followed by a short whistled song.
Black-and-red Broadbill
Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos
Utterly unmistakable inhabitant of waterside and riverine lowland evergreen forests, mangroves, and plantations. Midnight black with long white slashes on each wing, wine-red underparts, and a black chinstrap. Bulbous bill is glowingly powder-blue with warm tinges of orange and greenish-yellow. During the breeding season, the pendulous nests of this species can be quite obvious, hanging over forested waterways. Voice is nasal and generally unpleasant-sounding, consisting of odd low mechanical rasps.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.