Temminck's Lark
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| Temminck’s Lark | ||||||||||||||
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| Eremophila bilopha ( Temminck, 1823) |
The Temminck’s Lark or Temminck’s Horned Lark (Eremophila bilopha), breeds across much of north Africa, through northern Saudi Arabia to western Iraq. It is mainly resident, but some populations of this passerine bird are partially migratory, moving further south in winter.
This lark is a bird of open stony semi-desert. Its nest is on the ground, with 2-4 eggs being laid. Its food is seeds supplemented with insects in the breeding season.
Unlike most other larks, Temminck’s Lark is a distinctive looking species on the ground, similar to the other, larger, member of its genus, the Shore Lark. The 14-15 cm adult is mainly reddish brown-grey above and pale below, and it has a striking black and white face pattern. The summer male has black "horns", which give this species its alternative name. The juvenile of this species is reddish above and pale below, quite unlike juvenile Shore Lark.
Adult Temminck’s Lark differs from Shore Lark in its reddish, rather than brown-grey plumage, and the lack of yellow in the face pattern. It has a similar but less harsh metallic call.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Eremophila bilopha. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
