Bengal Lark
| Bengal Lark | ||||||||||||
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Bengal Lark, Kolkata, India |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Mirafra assamica | ||||||||||||
| Horsfield , 1840 |
The Bengal Lark ( Mirafra assamica ) is a species from the lark family. Their distribution area is in Southeast Asia. There are several subspecies.
features
The Bengal Lark reaches a body length of about 15 centimeters, of which 4.2 to 5.2 centimeters are on the tail. The beak length is 1.3 to 1.4 centimeters. The weight averages around 26 grams. There is no noticeable gender dimorphism .
The Bengal Lark is reddish-brown to ash-brown on top with blackish longitudinal stripes. The brown wings are lined with reddish tones. The underside of the body is light reddish to beige, the chest is speckled with dark brown. The tail is blackish brown. The upper bill is dark brown, the lower bill yellowish horn-colored. The feet are reddish to yellowish brown. The iris is brown.
The typical lark song is performed from the ground or in flight. It can also be heard at night.
Possible confusion
In the distribution area of the Bengal Lark, the Bush Lark and the Red-winged Lark are two types of lark, with which it can be confused. All species have reddish to chestnut brown fringes on the wing feathers. The Bengal Lark differs from the Bush Lark through the brownish inner vane of the sixth control feather, and from the Redwing Lark through the sharp demarcation of the reddish fringes on the wing feathers.
Distribution area and habitat
The Bengal Lark is found in Nepal , northern India , Bangladesh and Myanmar . Their habitat is open, stony grassland that is covered with bushes, but also agricultural land. She is a resident.
Way of life
The Bengal Lark eats seeds and arthropods. It breeds from March to August. Like all larks, it is a ground-breeder that builds a bowl-shaped nest in a hollow. The nest is only occasionally arched. The clutch usually consists of three to four eggs. The eggs are yellowish to light grayish and have brownish and grayish spots.
literature
- Rudolf Pätzold: The larks of the world . Westarp Sciences, Magdeburg 1994, ISBN 3-89432-422-8 .
