Sclaters lark
Spizocorys sclateriIntroduction: The first recordings of Sclater's lark (Spizocorys sclateri) are credited to WL Sclater (1863-1944) an English ornithologist who was also held the position of Director of Cape Town Museum from 1896 to 1906. Stony arid to semi-arid plains, scattered with grasses and shrubs dominate their habitats.
Distribution: Confined to the Nama Karoo in southern Namibia with observations being recorded as far north as Mariental.
Diet: Uses its large bill to overturn stones in search for insects such as grasshoppers, ants, small beetles and weevils. Also eats seeds of grasses including bushman grasses and shrubs.
Description: A small lark with brownish buff upper parts and a distinctive 'teardrop' marking under each eye. The stout and long bill is brownish-pink.
Breeding: A dry leaf and stem combination form the basis for a cup-shaped nest. Only 1 egg is laid from April to November and incubated by both male and female for up to 13 days.
Size: 14cm.
Weight: 20g.
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