Williams's Lark
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Taxonomy of the Mirafra Assamica Complex
FORKTAIL 13 (1998): 97-107 Taxonomy of the Mirafra assamica complex PER ALSTROM Four taxa are recognised in the Mirafra assamicacomplex: assamica Horsfield, affinis Blyth, microptera Hume, and marionae Baker; subsessorDeignan is considered to be a junior synonym of marionae. These four taxa differ in morphology and especially in vocalizations. Both assamicaand microptera have diagnostic song-flights, while affinis and marionae have similar song-flights. There are also differences in other behavioural aspects and habitat between assamicaand the others. On account of this, it is suggested that Mirafra assamicasensu lato be split into four species:M assamica,M affinis,M micropteraand M marionae.English names proposed are: Bengal Bushlark, ] erdon' s Bushlark, Burmese Bushlark and Indochinese Bushlark, respectively. The Rufous-winged Bushlark Mirafra assamica Horsfield (including the holotype) on my behalf in the Smithsonian is usually divided into five subspecies: assamica Horsfield Institution, Washington, D.C., USA. I have examined c. (1840), affinis Blyth (1845), microptera Hume (1873), 20 specimens of ceylonensis, though I have not compared it subsessor Deignan (1941), and marionae Baker (1915) in detail with affinis, and I have only measured four (Peters 1960, Howard and Moore 1991). One further specimens (of which two were unsexed). For all taxa, taxon, ceylonensis Whistler (1936), is sometimes recognized, measurements of wing length (with the wing flattened and but following Ripley (1946) and Vaurie (1951) most recent stretched; method 3, Svensson 1992), tail length, bill length authors treat it as a junior synonym of affinis. The name (to skull), bill depth (at distal end of nostrils), tarsus length marionae is actually predated by erythrocephala Salvadori and hind-claw length were taken of specimens whose labels and Giglioli (1885), but this does not appear to have been indicated their sex. -
Of Larks, Owls and Unusual Diets and Feeding Habits V
Of larks, owls and unusual diets and feeding habits V. Santharam Santharam, V. 2008. Of larks, owls and unusual diets and feeding habits. Indian Birds 4 (2): 68–69. V. Santharam, Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History, Rishi Valley Education Centre, Rishi Valley 517352, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected] Mss received on 17th December 2007. A day with the larks the presence of the distinctly long crest, which when flattened, 18th January 2007: Suresh Jones and I were off on waterfowl reached the upper nape. There were at least four birds present counts at some wetlands near Rishi Valley, (Andhra Pradesh, that morning. India). It was a cool and crisp morning with clear skies. After a The last species of the day was the common Ashy-crowned year of rains the wetlands had begun drying up. We knew there Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix grisea, which was noticed in the more would be fewer birds for us to count this year. We were least drier, open country. The prized sighting that morning was an bothered since we were sure to find other interesting birds. albino specimen fluttering about in the stiff breeze like a sheet of I was just telling Suresh that I have, in the past, seen Indian paper (which we mistook it for, initially!). Its plumage, including Eagle-Owls Bubo benghalensis perched on roadside electric posts, the beak, was pinkish white. Its eye appeared darker and there when a dead Indian Eagle-Owl, on the road, drew our attention. was a faint pinkish wash on its breast and tail. -
Breeding Ecology and Population Decline of the Crested Lark Galerida Cristata in Warsaw, Poland
Ornis Hungarica (2009) 17-18: 1-11. Breeding ecology and population decline of the crested lark Galerida cristata in Warsaw, Poland G. Lesiński Lesiński, G. 2009. Breeding ecology and population decline of the crested lark Galerida crista- ta in Warsaw, Poland – Ornis Hung. 17-18: 1-11. Abstract The crested lark Galerida cristata inhabited almost exclusively open areas in the out- skirts of new settlements of Warsaw in the years 1980-2006. The highest density of the species (0.11 pairs/km2) in the entire city (494 km2) was recorded in 1986, and locally (a plot of 2.6 km2) – 5.7 pairs/km2 in 1980. Breeding period lasted from April 12th (the first egg) to July 31st (the last fledgeling) with broods most inten- sively initiated in May. There were usually 4-5 eggs per brood, rarely 3 (mean 4.36±0.60 sD). The mean number of eggs in the first brood was 4.47±0.64 eggs, in the first repeated brood – 4.17±0.98 eggs and in the second brood – 4.09±0.70 eggs. Most pairs (71%) performed the second brood. Reproductive success of the population of 17 pairs studied in 1980 was 3.47 fledgelings leaving the nest per nesting pair (nearly 40% of broods were destroyed). Breeding losses resulted mostly from human activity and intensive rainfalls. Population of G. cristata in Warsaw was characterized by a great dynamics. None of the 17 pairs living on the plot of 2.6 km2 in 1980 remained in 1987 due to the management of new settlements. -
Identification of Oriental Skylark
Identification of Oriental Skylark Hadoram Shirihai he Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula (also sometimes known as Small TSkylark, Lesser Skylark or Eastern Skylark) is found across a large area of southern Asia. Eleven races were recognised by Vaurie (1959), most of which are resident in tropical Asia, but A. g. inconspicua, which breeds west to central Asia and Iran, is migratory, though its winter quarters are not known. The species has not yet been reliably recorded in Europe, although there are several recent records for Israel (see final section, and Shirihai in prep.) and it is possible that the Oriental Skylark will eventually be found in western Europe, and perhaps even Britain and Ireland. The main confusion species is Skylark A. arvensis, especially the smaller races. Given good views, however, the careful observer should not find separating them a serious problem. This paper summarises the main identification features of Oriental Skylark and its distinction from Skylark and other larks. Identification in the field In the field, Oriental Skylark resembles Skylark in coloration, but Wood- lark Lullula arborea in shape and flight. Its pointed bill is relatively long and thick, and it has a shortish tail and relatively long legs. From a distance, it might even be confused with Short-toed Calandrella brachydactyla or Lesser Short-toed Lark C. rufescens. The following are important points to observe when identifying the Oriental Skylark in the field. SILHOUETTE AND SIZE Size as Woodlark lark's. Wings rather short, primaries project- (about 16 cm in length), significantly smaller ing little, if at all, beyond tertials, unlike than nominate Skylark (18.5 cm). -
First Record of Pink-Billed Lark Spizocorys Conirostris for Angola Michael S
CROWES abcbul 26-060717.qxp 1/8/06 8:04 am Page 212 First record of Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris for Angola Michael S. L. Mills Première mention de l’Alouette à bec rose Spizocorys conirostris pour l’Angola. Une Alouette à bec rose Spizocorys conirostris a été observée le 8 août 2005 au sud de l’Angola, le long de la route Ondjiva–Lubango à 16°44’S 15°08’E, 70 km au nord de la frontière namibienne. Quoique la présence de l’espèce dans le pays était suspectée, elle n’avait jamais été confirmée; ceci constitue donc la première donnée documentée pour l’Angola. ink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris is con- References Pfined to southern Africa, from western Zambia Dean, W. R. J. 1997. Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys south. It occurs from the eastern half of Namibia conirostris. In Harrison, J. A., Allan, D. G., and western Botswana to central and eastern Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., South Africa (Keith et al. 1992). Although it has Parker, V. & Brown, C. J. (eds.) The Atlas of been recorded very close to the Angolan border in Southern African Birds. Johannesburg: BirdLife north-central Namibia (Dean 1997) and is listed South Africa. conditionally by Dowsett (1993) for southern Dean, W. R. J. 2000. The Birds of Angola: An Annotated Angola based on a single locality in Hall & Checklist. BOU Checklist 18. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union. Moreau (1970), its occurrence in Angola has not Dean, W. R. J. 2005. Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys been confirmed. It was listed as likely to occur by conirostris. -
Lullula Arborea -- (Linnaeus, 1758)
Lullula arborea -- (Linnaeus, 1758) ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- PASSERIFORMES -- ALAUDIDAE Common names: Wood Lark; Woodlark European Red List Assessment European Red List Status LC -- Least Concern, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) At both European and EU27 scales this species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern within both Europe and the EU27. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Albania; Andorra; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Malta; Moldova; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom; Gibraltar (to UK) Vagrant: Faroe Islands (to DK); Iceland; Ireland, Rep. of; Liechtenstein Population The European population is estimated at 1,890,000-3,890,000 pairs, which equates to 3,780,000-7,790,000 mature individuals. -
EURASIAN SKYLARK Alauda Arvensis
EURASIAN SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Other: Sky Lark (1995-2015), A.a. arvensis/japonica? (naturalized) Common Skylark A.a. pekinensis (vagrant) naturalized (non-native) resident, long established; non-breeding visitor, vagrant The Eurasian Skylark breeds in temperate latitudes from W Europe and N Africa to Siberia and Japan, withdrawing S in winter to Africa, India, and Burma (Dement'ev and Gladkov 1954b, Ali and Ripley 1987, Cramp and Simmons 1988, Campbell et al. 1997, AOU 1998). It may have expanded its range eastward across these continents during the past millennia, aided by increased habitat afforded by human agricultural practices (Long 1981). It has been successfully introduced to Vancouver I, Australia, New Zealand, and a few other Pacific islands (Long 1981, Lever 1987, Campbell et al. 1997, Higgins et al. 2006). Eurasian Skylarks from sedentary European or Asian populations (see below) were introduced to the Southeastern Hawaiian Islands in 1865- 1870, and they continue to thrive on most islands, but since have disappeared or become scarce on Kaua'i and O'ahu, perhaps in part due to the conversion of ranch lands to agricultural fields (Munro 1944). They were introduced primarily for aesthetic purposes but there was some concern about their consuming newly planted crop seeds (Fisher 1948c; E 17:58, 17:81, 35:73; see Long 1981). In addition, Eurasian Skylarks from migratory ne. Asian populations have occurred and bred once in Alaska (AOU 1998), with single vagrants each reaching California (CBRC 2007) and Johnston Atoll (reported Nov 1963; Amerson and Shelton 1976) and two vagrants reaching the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. -
History of the Crested Lark in the Mediterranean Region As Revealed by Mtdna Sequences and Morphology
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 39 (2006) 645–656 www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev History of the Crested Lark in the Mediterranean region as revealed by mtDNA sequences and morphology Alban Guillaumet a,¤, Jean-Marc Pons b, Bernard Godelle a, Pierre-Andre Crochet c a Laboratoire “Génome, Populations, Interactions, Adaptation”, CNRS UMR 5171, Université Montpellier II, C.C. 63, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France b Origine, Structure et Evolution de la biodiversité, UMR 5202, C.P. 51, 55 rue BuVon & Service de Systématique moléculaire, IFR 101 CNRS, 43 rue Cuvier. 75005 Paris, France c CEFE, CNRS UMR 5175, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier cedex 5, France Received 4 August 2005; revised 18 December 2005; accepted 4 January 2006 Available online 13 February 2006 Abstract The Crested Lark has a very complex taxonomy, partly as a result of a strong variation in plumage ground color seemingly linked with environmental factors. However, large variations in body size and bill shape further complicate the situation in the Maghreb. In this paper, we Wrst present a set of hypotheses to explain patterns of morphological variation around the Mediterranean Sea. A phylogeo- graphical analysis covering all major biogeographical areas in the species’ range is then performed to test these scenarios. Three mtDNA groups with distinct geographical distribution were identiWed. The randonii clade ( D G. (c.) randonii) is endemic from central Maghreb and is phylogenetically basal relative to cristata and senegallensis. These two latter groups are much more widespread. The cristata clade is found in NW Morocco, throughout Europe and W Asia and in NE Africa, while senegallensis regroups the populations sampled in the Western Sub-Saharan Africa and in NE Maghreb (E Algeria, Tunisia). -
The Lark Bunting Official Newsletter of the Denver Field Ornithologists
THE LARK BUNTING OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DENVER FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS VOLUME 57 | ISSUE 10 | OCTOBER 2021 DFOBIRDS.ORG FIELD TRIP NEWS New field trip chair is David Suddjian PAGE 8 PROGRAM NEWS 1st in-person monthly program + livestream! PAGE 4 BIRD BEHAVIOR Silent summer: Where are the birds? PAGE 11 BIRD ARCHAEOLOGY Birds + ancient pueblos = cool webinar series PAGE 18 PHOTO OF THE MONTH Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs Mark Amershek Barr Lake State Park THE LARK BUNTING OCTOBER 2021 1 FROM THE PRESIDENT DFO Board retreat? I’d call it an ADVANCE! Susan Blansett (and sometimes because of it), DFO has made positive On a Sunday morning in mid-August, the DFO Board of momentum since 2019. We celebrated these milestones: Directors convened for its third planning retreat since 2016. Once again, we gathered at Barr Lake State Park, a lovely place x Our new Conservation Committee has delved into of refuge where we stepped back to consider the big picture public discussion and advocacy on the future of birding and chart our club’s path for the next few years. at Chico Basin Ranch and birder access to State Wildlife Areas. It now raises its voice on conservation topics The last time we did this, in the fall of 2019, we crafted a in each issue of The Lark Bunting, and it’s working on strategic plan for 2-3 years ahead. But that was just 5 months more issues and causes to come before you-know-what all but shut us down for a full year. In x We set a new membership record, now at 549 and hopes of returning to “normal” again soon, we thought it wise counting to review and update that Covid-interrupted plan. -
Studies of Less Familiar Birds 116. Crested Lark by I
Studies of less familiar birds 116. Crested Lark By I. J. Ferguson-Lees Photographs by lb Trap-Lind (Plates 6-7) WE HAVE ONLY two photographs of the Crested Lark (Galerida cristatd) here, but they show the salient features very well. The species gets its name from the long upstanding crest which arises from the middle of its crown and which is conspicuous even when depressed. Many other larks have crests and inexperienced observers are sometimes misled by that on the Skylark (Alauda arvensis) when they see it raised and at close range, but the crest of the Crested Lark is really of almost comical proportions. The two plates also illustrate several other characters of this species and attention is drawn to these in the caption on plate 7. Crested Larks have a somewhat undulating flight, rather like that of Woodlarks (Lislbfa arborea), and a characteris tic outline from their short tails and broad, rounded wings. In Britain the Crested Lark is a surprisingly rare vagrant which has been recorded on less than fifteen occasions. The last two accepted observations were on Fair Isle in 1952 (Brit. Birds, 46: 211) and in Devonin 1958-5C) (Brit. Birds, 53: 167, 422), though it should be added that the species has almost certainly also occurred in Kent on at least two occasions in the last five years. Thus, while so many other birds formerly regarded as very rare wanderers to Britain are now known to be of annual occurrence in small numbers—the Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglottd) is one such example—the enormous increase in experienced observers has failed to raise the number of records of the Crested Lark. -
W. TOMLINSON, Bird Notes from the NF District
JAN. 1950 W. TOMLINSON, Bird Notes from the N.F. District 225 BIRD NOTES CHIEFLY FROM THE NORTHERN FRONTIER DISTRICT OF KENYA PART II by W. Tomlinson. ALAUDIDAE Mirafra albicauda Reichenow. White-tailed Lark. Thika, April. Mirafra hypermetra hypermetra (Reichenow) Red-winged Bush-lark. Angata Kasut; Merille; Thika. In the Kasut to the south-west of Marsabit Mountain this large lark was fairly common,haunting a patch of desert where there was some bush and even grass following rain. Runs well in quick spurts; but, pursued, usually takes wing. The flight is strong, although it seldom goes far before ducking down again, usually perching on tops of bushes. In the heat of the day seen sheltering under bush. Has a clear and loud, two• Il)ted call and a very pretty song of four or fivenotes. The cinnamon-rufous of its plum• age shows in flight but is invisible in the bird when at rest. At Merille, the Kasut and at Th;ka, where this bird occurred, the ground was the same russet colour as the bird's plumage. Mirafra africana dohertyi Hartert Kikuyu Red-naped Lark. Thika; Nanyuki. Mirafra fischeri fischeri (Reichenow) Flappet Lark. Thika. Mirafra africanoides intercedens Reichenow. Masai Fawn-coloured Lark. Merille; North Horr. A " flappet-Iark," fairly common at Merille in January, was I think this. At the time a small cricket was in thousands in patches of open country, followed up by Larks and Wattled Starlings. Mirafra poecilosterna poecilosterna (Reichenow). Pink-breasted Singing Lark. Merille. A bird frequently flushed from the ground, which flew to bushes and low trees, was I think this. -
An Appreciation of Larks
angels in CAMOUFLAGE An appreciation of larks arks have inspired poets as glorious as William Wordsworth, John Milton and Percy Bysshe Shelley, yet most birders consider them only as bothersome LBJs. Much maligned, they are often viewed Las little more than a boring identification chore. However, larks have a history as old as Africa itself. Some members have the most remarkable survival techniques in the avian world, and they sing and display like angels. So is there more to these sombre brown birds than first meets the eye? Shelley thought so, and so do I, writes KEITH BARNES. ALBERT FRONEMAN arks are a massive identification validity of geographical races is not ost birders in southern It isn’t just the casual birder who has problems challenge and, together with pip- orthodox. Having been a sinner myself, Africa are familiar with the its and cisticolas, they wear the I can expiate my indiscretions without Spike-heeled Lark. A short- distinguishing between larks. Ornithologists have unwelcome mantle of ‘Africa’s exultation and in repentance.’ Conversely, tailed, upright lark found in LLBJs’. Most species use open habitats in Gordon Maclean wrote, ‘It is doubtful Ma wide variety of open-country habitats, been arguing about them for more than 100 years desert, semi-desert and grasslands, and are whether the matter [of lark systemat- its white outer-tail tips, stocky frame and characterised by a great deal of morpho- ics] will ever be satisfactorily resolved.’ sociable behaviour render it one of the its finder. As the bird is highly resident Above In the course of one of the more logical convergence.