East rattle lark
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East rattle lark |
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| Mirafra fasciolata | ||||||||||||
| ( Sundevall , 1850) |
The Eastern Rattle Lark ( Mirafra fasciolata ) is a species from the lark family. It is a species that is widespread in the south of the African continent. It is significantly smaller than a skylark , but has a somewhat stronger beak. There are several subspecies. The name is derived from the rattling and clattering instrumental sounds that the lark makes with its wings.
The stock situation of the Ostklapperlche is classified as safe ( least concern ). It has long been classified as a subspecies of the grass rattle lark , but differs from this genetically as well as in song, physique and courtship behavior.
features
The Ostklapperlerche reaches a body length of 13 to 15 centimeters. They weigh between 26 and 44 grams. There is no noticeable gender dimorphism .
The plumage of the East Rattle Lark is predominantly yellowish brown to reddish brown with darker shaft lines. The feathers also have light hems and black subterminal ribbons, which give the lark a scaly and speckled appearance. The stripe above the eyes is only hinted at. The chin and throat are whitish, the throat is also dashed in light dark brown. The underside of the body is colored variably. Most of the individuals are light creamy white on the underside of their bodies. The wings are brown with different reddish parts. The beak is short and strong and brownish horn-colored. The iris is light brown, the feet and legs light reddish.
Distribution area of the individual subspecies and habitat
There are five subspecies:
- M. f. reynoldsi - Benson & Irwin , 1965 : Occurrence in the north of Namibia, in the north of Botswana and in the south-west of Zambia,
- M. f. jappi - Traylor , 1962 : Occurrence in the west of Namibia,
- M. f. nata - Smithers , 1955 : Occurrence in northeastern Botswana,
- M. f. damarensis - Sharpe , 1875 : Occurrence in the north and central area of Namibia and in the west and central area of Botswana,
- M. f. fasciolata - ( Sundevall , 1850) : Occurrence in the south of Botswana as well as in the north and in the central area of the South African Republic.
The habitat is grassland, including the sparsely grassed, semi-arid semi-desert of the Kalahari .
Way of life
The Eastern Rattle Lark mainly eats insects. Ants and termites play a particularly important role. It also eats seeds.
Like all larks, the Eastern Rattle Lark is a ground breeder. The nest is built under the protection of tufts of grass, stones or mounds of earth. The clutch consists of two to three eggs. The breeding season falls from September to February.
literature
- Rudolf Pätzold: The larks of the world . Westarp Sciences, Magdeburg 1994, ISBN 3-89432-422-8 .
- Rudolf Pätzold: Compendium of Larks. All the larks on earth. Jan-Schimkat-Medienpublikation, Dresden 2003, ISBN 3-00-011219-7 .
Web links
Single receipts
- ^ Pätzold: Compendium of Larks . P. 89.
- ↑ a b c d Handbook of the Birds of the World zur Ostklapperlerche , accessed on March 22, 2017
- ^ IOC World Bird List 6.4 . In: IOC World Bird List Datasets . September. doi : 10.14344 / ioc.ml.6.4 .