Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix leucotis
Grassy plains. Male has chestnut nape and wings; black head and body; white ear-patch.
Sparrow-Larks
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common to locally abundant resident. Both sexes differ from other sparrow-larks in having chestnut wing coverts and grey underwings. Female similar to females of [Black-eared Sparrow-Lark] and [Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark], but has thin whitish collar and dark belly spot. Has a sharp, rattling call ‘chip-chwep’ and pretty song in fluttering flight. Flocks occur on open flats, airfields and cultivated lands, usually with low bushes nearby; typically on reddish soils. Makes off in low, irregular flight when disturbed, then suddenly resettles.
Quick Facts
Size
12-13 cm - S
Names
A: Rooiruglewerik
Z: intakajolwane
Ss: Mmadiberwane-Nkatakgunong
G: Weißwangenlerche
Bird Family
Small, sparrow-like larks with marked sexual plumage differences. Gregarious, usually appearing in flocks even when breeding. Sparrow-larks are nomadic with regional fluctuations influenced by rainfall and abundancy of food (seeds). Their habitat is mainly open grassland, scrubland and semi-arid areas.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Flocks occur on open flats, airfields and cultivated lands, usually with low bushes nearby; typically on reddish soils.
