Spike-heeled Lark

Chersomanes albofasciata

Grasslands and scrub. SE race has rufous colouring overall; short tail.

Larks

Near Endemic

Description

Common, near-endemic resident. Many races, the two colour extremes illustrated: northwestern (a) and southeastern (b). Characterised by erect stance, long, slender, decurved bill and short tail with white terminal bar. The hind claw is long and straight, but this is difficult to see in the field. Utters a rapid, mellow trill in flight. Occurs in small, loose parties in a wide range of habitats, from stony highveld grassland, Karoo scrubland to Kalahari dunes. Largely terrestrial in habits but perches briefly on low vegetation.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Small, sombrely coloured terrestrial birds with confusingly similar, nondescript plumage patterns consisting of greyish speckled upperparts and pale underparts, usually with some streaking or spotting on the breast. Many species show regional plumage variations, palest or greyest in the north or west. Immature birds resemble adults but are generally more speckled. They are best identified by the male's call as well as behaviour and habitat. Most species tend to run rather than fly away when approached; males of many species have prolonged aerial display flights.