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A small, stocky, pale brown bird with a fairly heavy bill.
QLD: Vulnerable
Indigenous: Singing Bushlark
At a glance
FamilyLarks
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatGrassland, Herbaceous Graminoids Open Tussock Grasses, Open woodland, and Sparse woodland
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from December to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Joost van Bruggen
Range map
Range map
1626visible hotspots
8536visible records
5states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Unlike other bushlarks, breast streaking is minimal and often only restricted to the sides of the breast, while the wings are not as rust-colored. The pale eyebrow is well marked and typically extends neatly down around the cheeks. There is subtle though considerable geographic variation over the huge range. The overall coloration can vary from dark gray-brown to rich rufous-brown to pale sandy, and the amount and clarity of streaking on the breast also varies. Found in dry, open plains, agricultural areas, open shrubland, and grassland. Forages on the ground, where it can be hard to detect until very close; gives a loud chip as it flushes. Similar to Indian Bushlark, but Singing Bushlark has a white outermost tail feather, appears drabber overall, and looks chunkier. Larger-billed but smaller overall than Eurasian and Oriental Skylarks, and averages more darkly streaked on the back.
Behavior
The song is varied and complex, and includes whistles, trills, buzzes, metallic notes, and sometimes imitations of other bird species. The song can be given from a perch or on the wing.
Gallery