Friedmann's Lark

Friedmann's Lark
Friedmann's Lark
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Mirafra
Species: M. pulpa
Binomial name
Mirafra pulpa
Friedmann, 1930

The Friedmann's Lark (Mirafra pulpa) is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.

Contents

Range & population

Friedmann's Lark is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, but its population and real range is very poorly known.[2]

The type specimen was collected in Ethiopia (from the Konso-Segen area) in 1992, having only been seen one time since, in 1998; but most of what is known comes primarily from data collected in Tsavo East and West National Parks, in the state of Kenya.[2]

There are also a few records from Tanzania, from Mkomazi Game Reserve, south of Arusha.[2]

Habits and habitat

In general, the natural habitats of M. pulpa are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grasslands.[3] Being aloof and shy, it apparently chooses the moister (or less dry), ranker-growing of these areas, and where it can find it, those with more bush-cover. This is in contrast to the more dry, and more open environs preferred by many other species of lark.[2]

It is nearly always witnessed only during certain times of year (in Tanzania, its during rainy season, for example), to the exclusion of other times; and often amongst other migrant species. These observations would seem to suggest that it is a migratory bird, but more corroborating data is needed to make a definitive determination.[2]

Diet

Friedmann's Lark appears to subsist mainly on small beetles, grasshoppers and the like, as well as grass seeds.[2]

Song

It is best identified by its distinctive song; a long, drawn-out singular note, 'hoo-ee-oo' (with slight stress on the ee), repeated at 1 or 2 second intervals. It is heard more often at night, and given while atop a bush or during undulating display flights.[2]

See also

External links

  • BirdLife International (2008). Mirafra pulpa. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 11 May 2009. Database entry includes justification for why this species is assessed as Data Deficient.

References

  1. ^ Compilers: Phil Benstead, Stuart Butchart, Mike Evans, Pete Robertson, Malcolm Starkey, Andy Symes; Contributors: John S. Ash, Neil Baker, Donald Turner (2008). "Friedmann's Lark - BirdLife Species Factsheet". Evaluators: Jeremy Bird, Stuart Butchart, Alison Stattersfield. BirdLife International . http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=8100&m=0. Retrieved May 6, 2009. 
    Note: generally speaking, much more work in the field is required to determine the true Conservation Status of Mirafra pulpa; particularly needed are solid data in regard to its abundance, ecology, seasonal movements and possible threats.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Phil Benstead, et al.; Friedmann's Lark - BirdLife Species Factsheet
  3. ^ "Friedmann's Lark - BirdLife Species Factsheet (Additional Data)". BirdLife International. 2008 . http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=8100&m=1. Retrieved May 6, 2009. 


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