Collared Lark
| Collared Lark | ||||||||||||
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Collared Lark ( Mirafra collaris ), illustration front right |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Mirafra collaris | ||||||||||||
| Sharpe , 1896 |
The collar lark ( Mirafra collaris ) is a species from the lark family. Their distribution area is in East Africa. No subspecies are distinguished for this species.
features
The collar lark reaches a body length of 14 to 15 centimeters, of which 5.5 to 6.3 centimeters are on the tail. The beak length is 1.3 to 1.5 centimeters. There is no noticeable gender dimorphism . The plumage is predominantly reddish brown. The lark is well camouflaged in its habitat, which is dominated by reddish earth.
The collar lark has a black-brown crown, the individual feathers are lined with rust-brown. The back of the head and the nape of the neck are whitish with thick black dashes. A yellowish-white stripe above the eye runs above the eye. The cheeks are russet. The chin and the upper throat area are creamy white. A black throat band runs over the rust-brown goiter. The top of the body is bright red-brown, the back feathers are lined with white to whitish on the inside flag. The upper tail cover is gray-brown to black-brown. The underside of the body is yellowish-white. The wings are black-brown with a light red-brown feather base. The upper beak is dark horn-colored, the lower beak is a little lighter. The iris is brown. The feet and legs are light flesh-colored.
Fledglings largely resemble adult birds in their plumage. They don't yet have a full black goiter band, however, and the feathers on the top of the body have more distinct white hems.
The typical lark song, which consists of whistling tones that make people complain, is performed from a control room or in flight. Typical are rattling instrumental sounds during the short flight , which are generated with the wings.
Distribution area and habitat
The collar lark is found in south-east Ethiopia, Somalia and in the north-east and east of Kenya. It is a resident bird in its range.
Their habitat is arid to semi-arid grassland with isolated bushes and trees. In Kenya it can be found from the lowlands up to altitudes of 1350 meters.
Reproduction
The Collared Lark breeds in Ethiopia in May. Like all larks, it is a ground breeder that builds a bowl-shaped nest that is vaulted with grass. The clutch usually consists of three to four eggs. The eggs are whitish with olive and rust-colored spots.
literature
- Rudolf Pätzold: The larks of the world . Westarp Sciences, Magdeburg 1994, ISBN 3-89432-422-8 .
