| Rufous-tailed Lark | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Alaudidae |
| Genus: | Ammomanes |
| Species: | A. phoenicura |
| Binomial name | |
| Ammomanes phoenicura (Franklin, 1831) |
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| Synonyms | |
|
Mirafra phoenicura |
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The Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura) also sometimes called the Rufous-tailed Finch-Lark is a ground bird found in the drier open stony habitats of India and parts of Pakistan. Like other species in the genus it has a large finch-like bill with a slightly curved edge to the upper mandible. The dull brown colour matches with soil as it forages for grass seeds, grain and insects. Males and females are indistinguishable in the field but during the breeding season, the male has a courtship display that involves flying up steeply and then nose-diving and pulling up in a series of stepped wavy dips accompanied by calling. They forage on the ground in pairs or small groups.
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Like other Ammomanes larks the species has a wide curved beak with the nostrils covered by feathers. The hindclaw is as long as the hindtoe and moderately curved. The base of the lower mandible is fleshy while the rest is horn-grey. The legs are also flesh coloured. Some taxonomists in the past included the Bar-tailed Lark as a subspecies but the two are now generally considered as separate species.[2] Walter Koelz designated the peninsular Indian population south of a line between Hubli-Bellary-Ellore[3] as a separate subspecies testaceus (=testacea) that is brighter rufous, however specimens vary in the brightness (the reddest individuals being from Mysore and Salem[4]) leading some later workers to treat the species as monotypic.[5][6] In the field, the rufous colour, the reddish rump and a dark tail band (narrowing towards the sides to give a triangular shape) are distinctive. The throat is lightly streaked in dark brown. Young birds have less streaking on the underside.[7][8][9]
The species is found mainly in low altitude dry regions in open habitats without significant tree cover. It is a resident mainly within India south of the Ganges extending west to Kutch and the Aravallis of Rajasthan. They are summer visitors to parts of Pakistan in northern Punjab and in southern Nepal. The species does not occur in Sri Lanka and reports of their occurrence on the island of Rameshwaram are not confirmed while the species is largely absent along the Western Ghats region particularly in Kerala.[6][7]
Usually seen on the ground, but sometimes perching on wires these birds are not secretive. The walk on the ground making quick dashes to capture insects and when disturbed crouch and stay still to flush only when approached very close. The breeding season is from February to May. The display of males involves rising high with deep beats of the wing and then descending in a series of nose dives accompanied by short burbling or chirruping notes. They also call while perched. The nest is built in a depression in the ground and 2 to 4 eggs form the typical clutch. The eggs are broad oval with some gloss. The colour is creamy or pale yellowish-white with spots all over but denser at the broad end.[10] The incubation period has not been ascertained.[7][11]