Ash's lark
| Ash's lark | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Alaudidae |
| Genus: | Mirafra |
| Species: | M. ashi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Mirafra ashi Colston , 1982 | |
| |
Ash's lark (Mirafra ashi) or Ash's bushlark, is a species of
.Taxonomy and systematics
The bird's common name and Latin binomial commemorate the British ornithologist
Description
Ash's lark is typically 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in length. It has greyish-brown upperparts with paler edging to its mantle feathers, a buff-coloured underbelly and underparts with brownish streaks, a paler belly and vent, a light crest, and buff eyebrow stripes.[3]
Such a description is insufficient, however, since as with some other lark species it is difficult to definitively describe the bird without comparison to its close relatives. In the case of Ash's lark, it is smaller than the
Its songs have yet to be identified.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Population data of Ash's lark from recent decades has been greatly lacking. Political unrest has prevented accurate fieldwork in the region for many years.[3]
The only place known to be home to Ash's lark is a small area just north of
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.
Behaviour and ecology
Typical behaviour is to run across bare ground between bunches of grass prior to perching atop a
At present, little is known of Ash's lark's ecological relationships.[3]
References
- . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael (2003). Whose Bird? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds. London: Christopher Helm. p. 30.
- ^ a b c d e f g Compilers: Phil Benstead, Jonathan Ekstrom; Sue Shutes; Malcolm Starkey; Joe Taylor (2008). "Ash's Lark - BirdLife Species Factsheet". Evaluators: Stuart Butchart, Joe Taylor. BirdLife International. Retrieved May 5, 2009.