Dupont's Lark

Overview

Dupont's lark (Chersophilus duponti) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae belonging to the monotypic genus Chersophilus. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a non-migratory resident found in northern Africa and Spain.

Identification

• 17–18 cm long, slim bird with a long neck, long legs, and a fine slightly curved bill.
• Undistinguished appearance on the ground, generally brown-grey above and pale below, with a thin pale crown stripe and dark-streaked breast.
• Southern populations may have rufous upperparts.
• Song consists of a repeated thin, melancholic whistling phrase that is very ventriloquial, often accompanied by a nasal whistle at dawn, dusk, or night.

Habitat

The species inhabits open sandy semi-desert or steppe with some grass, as well as chaparral areas. Its range covers much of northern Africa from Algeria to Egypt, plus southern Spain and North Africa.

Diet

Its food consists of seeds and insects. Specific foraging methods are not detailed, but the species is known to run for cover among vegetation when disturbed.

Did you know?

The species is exceptionally ventriloquial, making its song difficult to locate, and it has become Endangered in the Spanish regions of Andalusia and Castile-León due to significant population declines.