Singing Bush Lark

Mirafra javanica

歌百灵

IUCN: Least Concern China: Level II Found in China

Introduction

Family Alaudidae, genus Mirafra. Small passerine distributed across most of Australia and much of Southeast Asia. Only lark species occurring naturally in Wallacea, New Guinea and Australia. Inhabits grassland and open habitats including chenopod shrublands, grasslands, coastal heathlands and modified agricultural land. Distinguished by melodious song incorporating skilled mimicry of other species, and by seasonal breeding response to significant rainfall in arid regions. Range extent estimated at 10,000,000 km².

Description

Small, thickset bird with large head, short sparrow-like bill and small crest visible when raised. Dorsal plumage brown, reddish or sandy with darker central streaks; breast mottled or streaked with buff eyebrow. Underparts pale, tail brown. Adults have near-black upper parts and crown with coarse buff to russet streaking; juveniles show neatly scaled appearance with narrow white feather fringes. Nestlings have dense natal down and contrasting dark spots on tongue and mouth. Wing length 61-81mm, tail 40-56mm, bill 12-16mm, weight 18-25g. Wings short and rounded with distinctive rufous panel; innermost secondary feather vestigial.

Identification

Very similar to Australian pipit and half-grown Eurasian skylark. Wings lack white trailing edge of skylark. Tail white-sided but only half as long as skylark's. Identification usually obvious from structure and rufous wing panels, though this colouring can bleach to buffish tone. When flushed gives slurred chirrup. Flight action diagnostic: jerky wing beats, head raised slightly, tail depressed, may briefly hover or flutter before dropping into cover. Differs from Australian pipit in having more robust build, shorter legs, and lacking pipit's persistent tail-bobbing and purposeful strutting.

Distribution & Habitat

Range spans Australia and much of Southeast Asia, with global extent of occurrence 10,000,000 km². In Australia, occurs from Eyre Peninsula (South Australia) through Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia to Shark Bay. Summer migrant to south-eastern continental Australia; vagrant to Tasmania. Inhabits chenopod shrublands, native and exotic grasslands, coastal heathlands, dunes, mudflats, and modified open habitats such as crop and pastureland. Less common on playing fields, golf courses, road verges, salt marshes and heathland; rarely in treed habitats.

Behavior & Ecology

Breeds following significant rainfall in arid areas. Both parents incubate eggs, feed nestlings and fledglings, and remove faecal sacs. Nestlings remain in nest 12-14 days but may depart at 7-8 days if disturbed. Fledglings dependent on parents for almost one month. Nest is loose, ragged cup-shaped structure in shallow hollow beside grass tuft or clod, about 71mm diameter by 25mm deep, lined with grasses. Clutch typically three eggs, light earthy brown with darker freckles. Diet consists of grass seeds and invertebrates, especially insects during breeding. Forages by gleaning and probing on ground surface, usually alone but sometimes in small parties. Melodious song sustained during breeding season, day or night, from ground or low perches, or in song-flights hovering high over territory. Song includes skillful mimicry of many other species.

Conservation

Not evaluated by IUCN. No population trends or major threats detailed in available information.

Culture

Of historical ornithological interest: an account published in Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London in 1865 by Edward P. Ramsay, former curator of the Australian Museum, described nidification and eggs in detail.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

Taxonomy

Order
Passeriformes
Family
Alaudidae
Genus
Mirafra
eBird Code
sinbus6

Subspecies (20)

  • Mirafra javanica aliena

    northern, northeastern, and southern New Guinea

  • Mirafra javanica athertonensis

    northeastern Australia (upland Wet Tropics region, northern Queensland)

  • Mirafra javanica cantillans

    northern India

  • Mirafra javanica chadensis

    Senegal and Mali to Sudan and western Ethiopia

  • Mirafra javanica forresti

    northwestern Australia (Kimberley region, northern Western Australia)

  • Mirafra javanica halli

    northwestern Australia (Dampier Peninsula)

  • Mirafra javanica horsfieldii

    eastern Australia (northeastern Queensland southward to southeastern South Australia)

  • Mirafra javanica javanica

    southern Borneo, Java, and Bali

  • Mirafra javanica marginata

    South Sudan, eastern Uganda, northern and southeastern Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, western Kenya, and northeastern Tanzania

  • Mirafra javanica melvillensis

    north-central Australia (Tiwi Islands, off Northern Territory)

  • Mirafra javanica mindanensis

    southern Philippines (Mindanao)

  • Mirafra javanica parva

    Lesser Sundas (Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, and Flores)

  • Mirafra javanica philippinensis

    northern Philippines (Luzon and Mindoro)

  • Mirafra javanica rufescens

    north-central Australia (eastern Northern Territory, northwestern Queensland, and northeastern South Australia)

  • Mirafra javanica secunda

    south-central Australia (Mount Lofty Range, and Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas)

  • Mirafra javanica simplex

    western Arabia

  • Mirafra javanica soderbergi

    north-central Australia (northern Northern Territory)

  • Mirafra javanica timorensis

    eastern Lesser Sundas (Sawu and Timor)

  • Mirafra javanica williamsoni

    local in southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, and southern Vietnam

  • Mirafra javanica woodwardi

    Pilbara region (western Australia)

Data Sources

AviList 2025 eBird (sinbus6) CBR v12.0 (#787) Avibase

CBR Notes: 英文名由Horsfield's Bush Lark改为Singing Bush Lark

Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.

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