Oriental Skylark
Alauda gulgula
Chunky brown songbird with a weak crest, typically found on the ground in open fields and meadows. Darker above than below, with fine black streaking on the chest and light chestnut ear coverts with dark border. Very similar to Eurasian Skylark, with which it shares much of its range, but Oriental has buffy, not white, outer tail edges and trailing edge of wing. Breeding males “skylark,” singing a series of variable notes while hovering high above the territory.
识别特征
Oriental skylarks are about 16 cm (6.3 in) long. They have streaked, yellow-brown upper plumage, with white outer tail feathers and a short crest. Both sexes are similar.<p>The Oriental skylark differs from the Eurasian skylark in several aspects. It is a smaller size, with a longer, more pointed bill. The outer tail feathers are more buff, and it lacks the white trailing edge during flight.
分类信息
The Oriental skylark was described by the English soldier and naturalist James Franklin in 1831 and given the binomial name Alauda gulgula. The meaning of the specific epithet gulgula is uncertain but is perhaps a reference to the song as gula is Latin for "throat" or may be the color of the "gulgula" or a sweet which looks like doughnut made in many parts of Central India.<p>Other alternate names for the Oriental skylark include eastern skylark, Indian skylark and lesser skylark.<p>Thirteen subspecies are recognized:
- 学名
- Alauda gulgula
- 命名信息
- Franklin, 1831
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Alaudidae
- 属
- Alauda
分布与栖息地
This lark breeds across the Sino-Indian region and parts of central Asia. It winters in the southern parts of its range. <p>It is usually found in open areas with short vegetation, such as grasslands, marshes, the edges of lakes, etc. It feeds on seeds and insects. It avoids forested areas, though it may be found in large forest clearings.
- 迁徙
- Complete migrants
行为
These skylarks frequently rocket up into the sky, fluttering and singing before descending down to earth. Male Oriental skylarks may also hover in the air and sing, in order to attract a mate.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Maghreb Owl
Strix mauritanica
A medium-sized owl with deep black eyes, strictly nocturnal and infrequently seen. Gray to gray-brown overall with a big rounded head. Found at a broad range of elevations from sea level to high mountains, in woodland, forest, parkland, rocky areas, and sometimes towns and villages. Tends to roost well hidden in foliage during the day, when may be detected by tracking down the excited sound of small birds mobbing the owl. Comes out at night to hunt in clearings and more open areas. Most often detected by its quavering hoots and "kee-wik!" shrieks, given at night. Somewhat similar to Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, but smaller and grayer, with dark rather than yellow-orange eyes.
Rufous-tailed Weaver
Histurgops ruficauda
A large, unusual and distinctive weaver with scaly plumage, rufous tail and wing panels, a white-edged shoulder, and pale eyes. Found in moderately moist savanna and woodland at middle elevations, often in small flocks. Nests in colonies. Similar in shape and size to Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, but separated by many details, such as the lack of a red bill. The vocalizations are harsh nasal “skeeya” and “krrrra” notes, sometimes strung together into a series.
Oriental Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus orientalis
In breeding range, this large, long-billed songster of expansive reedbeds can often be seen perched on top of a stalk belting its heart out, but on wintering grounds, it is more likely to be detected by a harsh, grating rattling from deep within the vegetation. Unremarkably plumaged, brown above, paler below, with a weak white supercilium and a short bristly crest, occasionally raised. Compare with other large reed warblers, especially Clamorous Reed Warbler.
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