Hume's Lark? (1 Viewer)

[Orioluskundoo]

Location: Dear Ismail Khan, Khyber PakthunKhwa Province, Pakistan
Date: 22 February 2019
Photographer: M.A.Rajput

 

[igorfest]

Very difficult identification, as the two species (Greater and Hume's Short-toed Lark) are very similar in every respects. But, apart from the lack of dark spots on the neck sides (usual in Hume's and regular but rare in Greater, especially rare in many birds seen together), all other discriminant features seems to point to Greater Short-toed Lark: long fine bill with straight lower edge and only slightly curved upper edge (contra shorter and stubbier, more Sparrow-like bill of Hume's), dull light and almost plain color of bill (contra rather bright pinkish-yellow bill of Hume's, with dark grey culmen and tip, almost bicolored), strongly dark streaked roufous crown (contra almost plainly roufous in Hume's, especially on the forehead), open-face look with completely pale eye-contour and lack of dark lores (contra dark spot or line over lores of Hume's and thinner pale supercilium in front of the eye). Other pro-Greater features are: more strongly barred dark on mantle and scapulars (contra largely pale with thin grey-brown streaks in Hume's) and more solid black and defined spots forming the "string of pearls" on middle wing coverts (contra more grey-brown and blurred feather baeses of Hume's).

In my opinion they are Greater Short-toed Larks but i've only limited experience with Hume's and i'm very curious to read about other birders's opinion.

Ciao, Igor Festari, Italy

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Agree these are Greater Short-toed Larks and while I'd concur with Igor's comments in the main, regarding the bill structure of Hume's, it is best described as slimmer and more pointed, hardly sparrow-like IMO. The pattern differs too in being distinctly bi-coloured, typically orange-yellow based with a dark culmen and tip. Compare ML614482897 - Hume's Lark - Macaulay Library

Grahame

 

[igorfest]

regarding the bill structure of Hume's, it is best described as slimmer and more pointed, hardly sparrow-like IMO

Dear Grahame,
thanks a lot for your note. About the shape of Hume's Lark bill compared to Greater's, I've founded contrasting comments in different bibliographical sources (some say it's thinner and longer, sometimes is cited as slightly shorter, some say it has deep base and sometimes curved upper edge, thus Sparrow-like, etc.) just like there's no consensus between ornithologistes about this point.... But off course you'r right, looking at the photographs most of Hume's Larks on the internet have variably thin and pointed bill, looking almost the same than Greater's bill, apart from distinct colors and pattern as we described here.

Ciao, Igor Festari, Italy

 

[Orioluskundoo]

Very difficult identification, as the two species (Greater and Hume's Short-toed Lark) are very similar in every respects. But, apart from the lack of dark spots on the neck sides (usual in Hume's and regular but rare in Greater, especially rare in many birds seen together), all other discriminant features seems to point to Greater Short-toed Lark: long fine bill with straight lower edge and only slightly curved upper edge (contra shorter and stubbier, more Sparrow-like bill of Hume's), dull light and almost plain color of bill (contra rather bright pinkish-yellow bill of Hume's, with dark grey culmen and tip, almost bicolored), strongly dark streaked roufous crown (contra almost plainly roufous in Hume's, especially on the forehead), open-face look with completely pale eye-contour and lack of dark lores (contra dark spot or line over lores of Hume's and thinner pale supercilium in front of the eye). Other pro-Greater features are: more strongly barred dark on mantle and scapulars (contra largely pale with thin grey-brown streaks in Hume's) and more solid black and defined spots forming the "string of pearls" on middle wing coverts (contra more grey-brown and blurred feather baeses of Hume's).

In my opinion they are Greater Short-toed Larks but i've only limited experience with Hume's and i'm very curious to read about other birders's opinion.

Ciao, Igor Festari, Italy

Thank you both Igor and Grahame for your valuable inputs. I will keep these notes especially related to the bill in mind. The Greater Short-toeds I have mainly come across down South near the Coastline in Sindh have always showed the 'string of pearls' you mentioned above. I will update the photographer regarding the ID. Much appreciated.

 

[Muppit17]

Dear Grahame,
thanks a lot for your note. About the shape of Hume's Lark bill compared to Greater's, I've founded contrasting comments in different bibliographical sources (some say it's thinner and longer, sometimes is cited as slightly shorter, some say it has deep base and sometimes curved upper edge, thus Sparrow-like, etc.) just like there's no consensus between ornithologistes about this point.... But off course you'r right, looking at the photographs most of Hume's Larks on the internet have variably thin and pointed bill, looking almost the same than Greater's bill, apart from distinct colors and pattern as we described here.

Ciao, Igor Festari, Italy

I delayed responding as I was actually watching Hume's Larks in Uzbekistan the day before this posting arrived.

Neck patches are possible on Hume's Larks but are normally very difficult to see. In fact, the bird neck stretching in the photo attached is probably the first time I have actually seen them.

I also agree that the bill structure in Hume's is different to Greater ST L. To me it appears flattened. There is little height in the upper mandible, but it quite broad. A structure that is distinct from GSTL IMO.

 

[Orioluskundoo]

I delayed responding as I was actually watching Hume's Larks in Uzbekistan the day before this posting arrived.

Neck patches are possible on Hume's Larks but are normally very difficult to see. In fact,View attachment 1581731 the bird neck stretching in the photo attached is probably the first time I have actually seen them.

I also agree that the bill structure in Hume's is different to Greater ST L. To me it appears flattened. There is little height in the upper mandible, but it quite broad. A structure that is distinct from GSTL IMO.

View attachment 1581732View attachment 1581733

Excellent photos for reference. I will keep these in mind certainly. I need to work on this complex more and understand it better