Duponts Lark Website Links For
Lark
 

Information About

Duponts Lark




  Name Dupont's Lark
  Status NT
  Regnum Animal ia
  Phylum Chordata
  Classis Aves
  Ordo Passeriformes
  Familia Alaudidae
  Genus '''''Chersophilus '''''
  Genus Authority Sharpe , 1890
  Species '''''C duponti'''''
  Binomial ''Chersophilus duponti''
  Binomial Authority ( Vieillot , 1820)


The Dupont's Lark (''Chersophilus duponti''), is the only Lark in the genus ''Chersophilus''. It breeds across much of north Africa , from Algeria to Egypt , and in Spain and France . It is a Non-migratory resident.

This is a bird of open sandy semi-desert or Steppe with some grass. Its nest is on the ground, with 3-4 Egg s being laid. Its food is Seed s and Insect s.

Like most other larks, Dupont's Lark is an undistinguished looking species on the ground. It is 17-18 cm long, slim, with a long neck, long legs and a fine slightly curved bill. It has a thin pale crown stripe and a dark-streaked breast.

There are two races. ''C. d. duponti'' of Europe and northwest Africa is mainly brown-grey above and pale below. ''C. d. margaritae'', which occupies most of the rest of the African range, has rufous upperparts.

This is a very shy species, which runs for cover when disturbed. Its song is a nasal whistle, given mainly at dawn and dusk or at night.

This bird was named after the French naturalist Leonard Puech Dupont, who was the first to collect a specimen.


REFERENCES

  • Database entry includes a lengthy justification of why this species is near threatened