Passeriformes / Alaudidae / Mirafra
Singing Bush Lark
Mirafra javanica · 歌百灵
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
Subspecies (20)
-
Mirafra javanica aliena
northern, northeastern, and southern New Guinea
Data Sources
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.
