Starks lark

Introduction: Stark's lark (Spizocorys starki) were first recorded by Arthur Cowell Stark (1850-1899) the author of the first 2 volumes of 'Birds of South Africa'. Sparse shrub or grass cover in arid and semi-arid open plains are favoured, as well as gravelly and stony soil.

Distribution: Common in mainly western and southern Namibia. Fairly common in the northern Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast. Also found in Etosha National Park with some a thin scattering in the south of the country.
Diet: Eats mostly grass seeds, ants, bugs, flies, solifuges and spiders.

Description: A small lark with a short bill. Buffy brown upperparts, faintly streaked with dark brown. Often confused with the Sclater's lark which had darker brown upperparts and buffy (not white) underparts.
Breeding: As a rule, 2 to 4 eggs are laid from March to August, in a simple grass cup.

Size: 14cm.

Weight: 19g.