Stark's Lark

About the Stark's Lark

Stark's lark (Spizocorys starki) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Its natural habitats are dry savannah and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. Captain George Shelley named the species in honour of Arthur Stark.

Stark's lark was originally classified in the genus Calandrella and was then moved from the genus Eremalauda to Spizocorys in 2009. This species is alternately named as Stark's short-toed lark. It is a pale medium-small lark with a pale, stout bill that appears slightly swollen. It exhibits a subtle streaky pattern on its sandy-brown upperparts and a distinct pale eyebrow. The underparts are whitish with faint streaking, and the lark often displays a raised, streaked crest.

Stark's Larks are highly mobile, exhibiting nomadic behavior. Following rainfall events, they may form flocks ranging from small groups to large ones, occasionally associating with other species such as sparrow-larks or buntings. These birds exhibit a preference for arid grasslands characterized by gravel substrates, avoiding sandy areas. To cope with high ambient temperatures... Wikipedia →