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Lark (1 Viewer)

R

rafo1

Well-known member
Another one that I'm not sure of before I put them in the gallery. Taken at Tawi Atayr South Oman, I think its a Singing Bush Lark (Mirafra Cantillans) but it doesn't really do my bird guide any justice, or is that the other way around.
Colin :cool:
 

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I would say Singing Bush Lark, but I've never been to Oman and have no idea what other larks are on offer there. Presumably there is no Lesser Short-toed, Bimaculated or anything else 'colourful' with a chunky-ish bill. If you see what I mean. Is it a summer visitor or resident? And, if I remember, don't SBLs do a mini-Skylark song flight?
 
Colin,

It certainly looks like Mirafra. Save possible accidentals from the genus, the only one I have ranging there is Mirafra cantillans simplex. I have gone into my database and compared them with my pics for the species, but I only have pics of the nominate subspecies which differs in having the primaries of a slightly more rufous color. Comparing the two, other than this, though I wish I had a frontal shot showing the chin and breast-streaking, they appear to be identical in every parameter that I can analyse, head marking, beak, leg color, marginal webbing of the feathers, belly color and so forth. So, I would say that you are right!!
 
At least another 13 types of lark including bimaculated, migrant breeder apparently normally around mid year, but as it was seen on my first birding trip around Oman they're all new to me as well. Unfortunately this bird did not want to fly and sat doggedly on his branch while I snapped away from 2 metres!
Got 2 nice back shots but it was not obliging enough to face me.

Thanks for that Mike and Steve

:cool:
 
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Maybe this will help.

Jane, I think the subspecies on yours is marginata, that one looks like it is old plumage.
 

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rafo1 said:
Confuses the heck out of me :brains: , but I do like Jane's logic
"its in a Bush and its singing and its clearly a Lark!"

So before I put it in the gallery we're all agreed that its a cantillans then?

:t:
Click to expand...

I am satisfied that this is Mirafra cantillans simplex. I think that Jane may have become convinced by the photos that I attached but I am sure she will chime in directly to confirm my impression.
 
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