From Opus

Photo by Max Holdt
Photographed: Sossusvlei, Namibia.

Certhilauda erythrochlamys

Calendulauda erythrochlamys

[edit] Identification

Length 16-18 cm, mass 25-33 g. A medium-sized lark; appears slightly longer-legged than other larks.

The upper parts are sandy-rufous and unstreaked. Under parts white with light rufoius streaking. Face plain with whitish eyebrow, dark brown eye-stripe and indistinct brown malar stripe.

[edit] Distribution

South-western Namibia

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species¹. Some authorities include Barlow's Lark in Dune Lark as several extra subspecies.

Some authorities have recently placed this species in genus Calendulauda.^1,2

[edit] Habitat

Thinly vegetated dunes, Namib Desert.²

[edit] Behaviour

Usually seen alone, in pairs, or in small groups. Forages on and between dunes for invertebrates and seeds, often digging in the sand for the latter. Not observed drinking water.

[edit] Breeding

Monogamous and territorial. The nest is a cup of grass (usually domed) built by the female, and lined with finer material; it is built in a depression dug in the sand at the base of a plant at the top or on the side of a hummock or dune. One or two eggs are laid at any time of the year after rain, and incubated for 13-14 days by the female. The nestling period is about 13 days and the young leave the nest before they are able to fly.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
2. Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533

• List of references

[edit] External Links