Madagascar Lark

Overview

The Madagascar lark (Eremopterix hova) is a small lark species endemic to Madagascar that was previously classified within the genus Mirafra before genetic studies reclassified it in 2014. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its large range and adaptability to open habitats.

Identification

• A small lark approximately 13 cm in length with greyish-brown upperparts streaked with darker brown.
• Whitish underparts featuring blackish streaks or spots on the upper breast, with no sexual dimorphism visible.
• A fairly slender pinkish or buffy bill with a greyer tip, contrasting with the thick finch-like bills of other Eremopterix species.
• Pinkish-brown legs and dark brown wings that often display a pale panel from lighter fringes on the primary and secondary feathers.

Habitat

This species inhabits a wide variety of open environments across Madagascar, including dry savannah, dry shrubland, and open woodland, ranging in altitude from sea level to 2,500 m. It has likely benefited from habitat modification and is commonly found in rice paddies and near roads across the island, with an estimated global extent of occurrence exceeding 100,000 km².

Did you know?

The specific name hova references a caste in the precolonial Kingdom of Madagascar, and the bird has also been known by various alternative names such as the Hova lark, Madagascan bush lark, and Madagascar sparrow lark.