Flappet lark

Introduction: Flappet larks (Mirafra rufocinnamonmea) inhabit grassy clearing and certain areas of broad-leaved woodlands and fine-leaved Acacia savannah woodland. Often they can be observed singly or in pairs but are difficult to observe as they rarely perch on trees or bushes.

Distribution: Epupa Falls, northern Etosha National Park, Kaudom Park and selected stretches of the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip).
Diet: Forages on the ground for invertebrates such as beetles, termites and grasshoppers. Also eats grass seeds.

Description: Mainly reddish cinnamon (rufocinnamonmea) colouring with dark brown streaks on the nape, rump and upper wing coverts. The tail is dark brown, the chin and throat white to buff with the remainder of the underparts orange-buff to creamy buff. Whistles can be heard from a perch at dawn. Wing claps can be heard when the flappet lark is in flight.

Breeding: A partially-domed cup of dry grass is lined with rootlets in the hollow or scrape in the ground. Females lay 2 to 3 eggs from October to April.

Size: 15cm.

Weight: 26g.