Lark like bunting

Introduction: Lark-like buntings (Emberiza impetuani) inhabit a number of regions, mainly in response to rainfall. Desert or open dry grassland, sparse dwarf shrub savannah and grassed rocky ridges number amongst the more favoured habitats.

Distribution: Widespread in the drier regions of Namibia such as Damaraland, Kaokoland and especially in the northern Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast as far north as the Kunene River and Epupa Falls.
Diet: Forages on sparsely vegetated or stony ground to jump up for grass seeds such as bristle or bushman grasses and cereals. Also takes caterpillars and beetles.

Description: Buffy brown colourations often streaked with olive-brown. Rump and tail also olive-brown, breast a dark buff with pinkish shadings.
Breeding: Usually 3 eggs are laid from September to March and incubated for around 11 days. Nest are formed into a shallow cup using desert grasses and coarse twigs.

Size: 14cm.

Weight: 15g.