- Spizocorys conirostris
Identification
Length 12-13 cm, mass 12-17 g.
A small stocky Lark with a short, stout pink bill. The chin and throat are white, the breast is rufous-buff, streaked dark brown, and the belly and undertail coverts are rufous-buff.
Similar Species
- Botha's Lark has a whitish belly, a more streaked breast, a more distinct eyebrow, a more slender bill, and its tail is edged white rather than buff.
- Sclater's Lark has a longer, brownish bill, and a black 'teardrop' mark on the cheek.
Distribution
Southern Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Spizocorys conirostris has six or seven subspecies[1]:
- S. c. conirostris from South Africa, western Lesotho and south-eastern Botswana;
- S. c. damarensis from northern Namibia and north-western Botswana, paler and less streaked than S. c. barlowi;
- S. c. barlowi southern and central Namibia, southern Botswana and north-western South Africa, paler than nominate;
- S. c. harti from Zambia;
- S. c. makawai from Zambia;
- S. c. crypta from north-eastern Botswana, upper parts paler than nominate; and
- S. c. transiens from South Africa and Botswana (not recognised by all authorities[2]
An additional subspecies griseovinacea is usually considered invalid[2].
Habitat
Subtropical or tropical dry grassland.
Behaviour
In groups of 5-20 when not breeding. Inconspicuous; usually on the ground, concealed in grass; crosses open ground quickly and seldom perches in an elevated position.
Diet
Forages for invertebrates and seeds.
Breeding
Monogamous. The nest is a cup of dry grass and rootlets. One to three eggs are laid after rain at any time of the year.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Avibase
- 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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Pink-billed Lark. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Pink-billed_Lark
