Habitat: In tone rather than pattern, the Singing Bushlark (Mirafra javanica) varies widely around Australia. Thomas Horsfield first described the singing bush lark in 1821 based on a specimen he collected on Java. The bird has been recognized for no less than 25 races. A rich rufous color is found in the Pilbara, a deep russet-brown is visible across northern Australia, a pale rufous can be found in the central-eastern inland, and a blackish-gray color is found in the southeast of South Australia.
Many of the changes match the color of regional soils, with rufous populations occurring often on red soils, dark-brown plumage ones on black soils, and grey-plumage ones on grey soils. In these ground-living birds, such adaptations may aid in camouflage and survival. There are many local populations that differ greatly in color within themselves, so this doesn’t explain all the variation.
Singing bushlarks are rather communal birds, nesting in loose groups and wandering locally in parties of one or two to several hundred after breeding. Regional influxes can be quite dramatic and erratic in the Murray-Darling Basin. If surprised, they may freeze; and if flushed they rise to flick-flutter low over the grass, tail down and wings beating fast in spasms, before dropping to cover. Flight is characterized by jerky movements on down-swept wings interspersed with wing beating.
During the breeding season-from, spring to early summer-males perform typically lark-like song flights, hovering high and chanting richly by night and day. When dropping to earth after the display, they do so in stages, unlike the Skylark which dives directly and sings in low undulating flights. They will also perch on wires and fence posts and sing from there.
Identification: Both sexes look identical. Color varies considerably within Australia but the basic plumage pattern is constant. The upper parts are brown with darker central streaks on feathers; feather edges can vary from buff or rufous to grey and streaks from brown to black. Rufous patches at the base of the main flight feathers. The outer tail feathers are white. Distinct buff eyebrows. The underparts are paler than the back, ranging from off-white to light brown with dark spots on the throat and breast. The eyes are grey-brown to red-brown. Sparrow-like, short and blunt bill, brown above, pale below. The feet are pale flesh-brown to grey-brown. The immature bird is similar to adults but generally paler with lighter edges to primaries and light tips to crown feathers forming crescents.
Vocalizations: A singing bushlark makes a single, slurred chirrup call when on the ground or alert. However, the melodious song is a rich, varied, tinkling song, including skillful mimicry of other species. Moreover, during the breeding season, they sing anytime, day or night, normally on the ground and low perches, or in high-flying song-flights.
Diet: Bush larks are terrestrial foragers with a short, stout bill ideal for crushing seeds. Although inhabiting dense to semi-open grasslands and crops, larks forage on the ground for fallen seeds and insects. They walk nimbly on bent feet, without stopping and bobbing as pipits do. They usually forage alone, but sometimes form small groups.
Alternative Names: It is also known as the Cinnamon Bushlark and Horsfield’s Bushlark.
Size: The singing bushlark measures about 130-135 mm in length, the tail is 40–56 mm long, the bill is 12-16 mm long, and the weight is 18–25 g.
Nest & Breed: Nesting and breeding occur in September-January in the south and follow extensive rains inland; in the north breeding is probably related to the start of the wet season. Nests are small, usually fully or partly domed, of dried grasses and fine roots, thickly lined with soft dry grasses; placed on the ground under the edge of tussocks or in cereal crops. Upon disturbance, the young may leave the nest at 7–8 days old before they can fly. They typically remain in the nest for 12–14 days or longer.
Eggs: This lark lays 2 to 4 eggs; dull white, freckled with dark grey to grey-brown; oval to oblong oval, about 15 x 13 mm.
Similar Species: It looks very similar to the Australian pipit and can be mistaken for a half-grown Eurasian skylark due to its size and appearance.
Distribution: The Singing Bushlark is found in open grasslands from interior plains to short-cropped pastures in settled areas. Ranges from Nigeria to Arabia, India, the Indonesian Archipelago, and New Guinea.
Family: The Singing Bushlark belongs to the family Alaudidae under the genus Mirafra.
Races: There are about 25 races.
