Madagascar Lark
Mirafra hova
Silhouette: Gossipguy and T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyAlaudidae (Larks)
- GenusMirafra
- SpeciesMirafra hova (Madagascar Lark)
About the Madagascar Lark
The Madagascar lark (Eremopterix hova) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae endemic to Madagascar. The Madagascar lark was described by the German ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub in 1860, who placed it within the genus Mirafra. The specific name, hova, refers to the Hova, a caste in the precolonial Kingdom of Madagascar. It remained in the genus Mirafra until a 2013 study of the genetics of the family lead by Per Alström unexpectedly placed it with the genus Eremopterix, where it was moved to in 2014. The relationships of the Madagascar lark within this genus are not yet fully understood. Alternative names for the Madagascar lark include Hova lark, Madagascan bush lark, Madagascar singing bushlark, and Madagascar sparrow lark.
The Madagascar lark is very similar to many of the other Mirafra larks to which it was formerly thought to be related. It is a small lark, 13 cm long, with greyish-brown upperparts streaked with darker brown, and whitish below with blackish streaks or spots on the upper breast; the wings are dark brown with paler fringes on the primary and secondary feathers often visible as a pale panel on the closed wing... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Madagascar Lark in Berenty Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Berenty Reserve
Crested Drongo
Dicrurus forficatus
Pied Crow
Corvus albus
Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone mutata
Madagascar Magpie-Robin
Copsychus albospecularis
Common Jery
Neomixis tenella
Madagascar Bulbul
Hypsipetes madagascariensis
Souimanga Sunbird
Cinnyris sovimanga
Hook-billed Vanga
Vanga curvirostris
Sakalava Weaver
Ploceus sakalava
Madagascar White-eye
Zosterops maderaspatanus
Common Newtonia
Newtonia brunneicauda
Madagascar Fody
Foudia madagascariensis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berenty Reserve | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 2 | Ankarafantsika National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 3 | Ranomafana National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Madagascar Lark in Berenty Reserve?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Madagascar Lark sighting in Berenty Reserve, based on 30 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Madagascar Lark in Berenty Reserve?
November has the highest sighting rate for Madagascar Lark in Berenty Reserve in our monthly data.