Chestnut-headed sparrow-lark

Chestnut-headed sparrow-lark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Eremopterix
Species: E. signatus
Binomial name
Eremopterix signatus
(Oustalet, 1886)
Subspecies

See text

Synonyms
  • Eremopterix signata
  • Pyrrhulauda signata
  • Chestnut-headed finch lark
  • Chestnut-headed finch-lark
  • Chestnut-headed sparrow lark

The chestnut-headed sparrow-lark (Eremopterix signatus) is a species of passerine bird in the Alaudidae family. It is found in eastern and north-eastern Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, and hot deserts.

Taxonomy and systematics

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized:[2]

Description

The male chestnut-headed sparrow-lark has a black collar and bib, white cheeks and a white circular area on the nape of the crown, surrounded by a chestnut border. This distinguishes it from Fischer's sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucopareia which lacks the white spot. The female has duller plumage.

Behaviour and ecology

This bird is usually found in pairs or small flocks of up to forty birds, often around water holes. It flies low to the ground and may sing in flight or when standing on bare ground.[3]

References


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/18/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.