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Like most larks, often inconspicuous on the ground and best detected by voice.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyLarks
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatGrassland, Herbaceous Graminoids Sparse Hummock Grasses, Open woodland, and Sparse woodland
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from August to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by David Darrell-Lambert
Range map
Range map
2066visible hotspots
82250visible records
3states
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
On the ground, note brown streaky plumage, distinct bushy crest, and broad, diffuse paler eyering. Chunkier than pipits, and does not habitually bob its rear end. In flight shows white sides to tail and narrow white trailing edge to wings. A denizen of open country, especially rough grassland, heathland, farmland, and airports.
Behavior
Like most larks, often inconspicuous on the ground and best detected by voice. The prolonged warbling and trilling song is given in flight, often so far overhead that the bird appears as a speck, if you can even see it.
Gallery