- Spizocorys sclateri
Identification
A small, chunky lark with a large bill. The buffy belly and dark 'teardrop' mark below the eye are features useful for identification.
Distribution
Inland southern Namibia and western South Africa.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies have been described, but most authorities regard the species monotypic.[2],[3]
Habitat
Dry shrubland and gravel plains.
Status
Classified as Near Threatened in the 2008 IUCN Red List.[1]
Behaviour
Forages on the ground for seeds and invertebrates.
Vocalisation
A soft prrp prrp.
Breeding
Monogamous. The nest is a cup built using leaves, stems and awns, and surrounded by an apron of pebbles; usually built in the open, rather than near vegetative cover. A single egg is laid, mainly August to November, and is incubated for about 13 days.
References
- BirdLife International. 2008. Species factsheet: Spizocorys sclateri. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/12/2008.
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- 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
- Sinclair, I and P Ryan. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0691118154
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Sclater's Lark. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 16 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Sclater%27s_Lark
