Horsfield's Bush Lark
HORSFIELD'S BUSH LARK
Mirafra javanica
Family Alaudidae
resident, uncommon
L 133m (5 1/4")
Bird # 495 - February 2016
This bird is called Singing Bushlark Mirafra javanica in the Kennedy guide.
We found this bird tricky to identify, even if we knew what it looks like. In the past, we had mistaken Oriental Pipits and Oriental Skylarks that had unusually thick bills for this bird. After being able to observe several Singing Bushlarks, the difference in the behavior alone became very obvious. The Singing Bushlark doesn't stay out in the open, it is less upright, and it often assumes a crouching position. We saw them in a group of 5 birds. They were walking in the short grass and stayed in one general area. When flushed they would fly to another clump of grass about 20 meters away. They easily blend into the grass. We also heard them singing on the ground. That was what originally drew us to their area.
Read MoreMirafra javanica
Family Alaudidae
resident, uncommon
L 133m (5 1/4")
Bird # 495 - February 2016
This bird is called Singing Bushlark Mirafra javanica in the Kennedy guide.
We found this bird tricky to identify, even if we knew what it looks like. In the past, we had mistaken Oriental Pipits and Oriental Skylarks that had unusually thick bills for this bird. After being able to observe several Singing Bushlarks, the difference in the behavior alone became very obvious. The Singing Bushlark doesn't stay out in the open, it is less upright, and it often assumes a crouching position. We saw them in a group of 5 birds. They were walking in the short grass and stayed in one general area. When flushed they would fly to another clump of grass about 20 meters away. They easily blend into the grass. We also heard them singing on the ground. That was what originally drew us to their area.
