| Melodious lark | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Alaudidae |
| Genus: | Mirafra |
| Species: | M. cheniana |
| Binomial name | |
| Mirafra cheniana Smith, 1843 | |
 | |
| range | |
The melodious lark (Mirafra cheniana) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in southern Africa. It is currently threatened by habitat loss.
The alternate name of singing bush lark usually refers to the species of that name, Mirafra cantillans . Other alternate names for the melodious lark include: Latakoo lark, Latakoo bush lark, melodious bushlark, singing bush lark, Southern lark, Southern singing bush lark and Southern singing lark. [2]
The melodious lark has a probable maximum range of 110,400 square kilometres (42,600 sq mi), separated into many disjunct populations located in South Africa (Eastern Cape, the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and North West Province), Botswana and Zimbabwe. [3] At times, local populations will abandon one area for another when the regular dry-season fires occur. [3]
The natural habitat of the melodious lark is subtropical or tropical, seasonally wet or flooded, lowland grassland. [3] Within these regions, it prefers the drier slopes, especially in open runs between grassy tussocks.
Melodious larks select different textures of grass or grass parts to build their domed, obliquely-accessed nests. They use the harder and more fibrous grasses and stalks for an outer thatch, while the finer and softer grasses or grass leaves are used to line the nest's interior. [3]
The melodious lark is assessed as likely to be both territorial and monogamous, and lays a clutch of 2-4 eggs. [3] It is generally resident, breeding from September to March. The level of breeding activity varies depending on locality. The most active period in South Africa is between November and January, while in Zimbabwe it is from January to March. [3]
The melodious lark forages on the ground for food, eating mostly grass seeds supplemented with insects. [3]
The Bengal bush lark or Bengal lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in southern Asia.
The rufous-tailed lark, 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 the 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.
The singing bush lark or Horsfield's bush lark is a species of lark which inhabits grassland throughout most of Australia and much of Southeast Asia. It was described by the American naturalist Thomas Horsfield.
The Indian bush lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in South Asia.
Kordofan lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in Africa.
The Degodi lark is a lark in the family Alaudidae endemic to Ethiopia. It is now considered a subspecies of Gillett's lark.
The Madagascar lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae endemic to Madagascar.
The red-winged lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in eastern Africa.
The monotonous lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in southern Africa.
Friedmann's lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in East Africa.
The flappet lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae, widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa. The name flappet originates from the distinctive wing flapping sound made during its breeding season.
The sabota lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in southern Africa in its natural habitats of dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is generally sedentary but local movements occur in drier regions. The species name is derived from sebotha or sebothé, the Tswana generic name for a lark.
Williams's lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. Discovered in 1955, much of its life and ecology is still a mystery to ornithology.
The short-clawed lark or short-clawed bush-lark, is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Botswana and South Africa. Its natural habitat is dry savannah.
Archer's lark, also known as the Liben lark, is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Somalia and Ethiopia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss. The bird's common name and binomial commemorate the British explorer and colonial official Sir Geoffrey Francis Archer.
Rudd's lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitat is high-altitude grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The rufous-naped lark or rufous-naped bush lark is a widespread and conspicuous species of lark in the lightly wooded grasslands, open savannas and farmlands of the Afrotropics. Males attract attention to themselves by a bold and often repeated wing-fluttering display from a prominent perch, which is accompanied by a melodious and far-carrying whistled phrase. This rudimentary display has been proposed as the precursor to the wing-clapping displays of other bush lark species. They have consistently rufous outer wings and a short erectile crest, but the remaining plumage hues and markings are individually and geographically variable. It has a straight lower, and longish, curved upper mandible.
The fawn-coloured lark or fawn-coloured bush-lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in south-central Africa.
The white-tailed lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in Africa.
The foxy lark or Abyssinian lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in east-central Africa.
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