Liben Lark
NameLiben Lark
Common NameLiben Lark
Scientific NameHeteromirafra archeri
FamilyAlaudidae
Wingspan (cm)27
Length (cm)14
Weight (g)22
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are rufous-brown with heavy dark streaking, providing excellent camouflage against the ground. Underparts are paler, buffy-white, with prominent dark streaking on the breast and flanks. It features a pale supercilium above a dark eye-stripe.
Vocalization / CallIts song is a complex series of whistles, trills, and churring notes, often delivered from the ground or during a display flight. Calls include soft 'tsip' notes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeEndemic to a very small, fragmented area of the Liben Plain in southern Ethiopia.
Identifying Featuresstreaky brown plumage, pale supercilium, dark eye-stripe, terrestrial habits, distinctive song, small size
Description
The Liben Lark is a small, cryptically plumaged lark found in short, sparse grasslands. It is primarily terrestrial, foraging on the ground for seeds and insects, and known for its distinctive, complex song.
