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Melodious Lark (Mirafra cheniana)

Melodious Lark

Mirafra cheniana

Least Concern

Overview

The melodious lark (Mirafra cheniana) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in southern Africa. Although currently assessed as Least Concern, it is threatened by habitat loss and maintains a probable maximum range of 110,400 square kilometres.

Habitat

This bird inhabits subtropical or tropical, seasonally wet or flooded, lowland grasslands, preferring drier slopes and open runs between grassy tussocks. Its range is separated into many disjunct populations across South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, with local groups sometimes relocating when regular dry-season fires occur.

Diet

The melodious lark forages on the ground for food. Its diet consists mostly of grass seeds, supplemented with insects.

Did you know?

These birds select different textures of grass to construct their domed, obliquely-accessed nests, using hard, fibrous grasses and stalks for an outer thatch and finer, softer grasses or leaves for the interior lining.

Sources