Ammomanes deserti - Desert Lark
Feather characters. Barbules are rather short (0.68-0.84 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and unpigmented or partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (34-38 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size16-17 cm. Weight: male 24.0-29.5 g, female 22.0-26.0 g (Dunning, 1993). Rather featureless, uniformly sandy-coloured lark the size of a Skylark or small thrush, with a relatively heavy bill. Colouration varies geographically, but most are uniformly sandy grey-brown above; underparts more buffish, breast sometimes faintly streaked; tail rufous-buff with diffuse dark terminal band. Head pattern distinct to faint, with pale eye-ring and fore-supercilium, and darker malar streak; bill orange-yellow on lower mandible. Several races, varying in colour from dark-grey to very pale. Not shy, often found along roads or in oases.
Voice. Call a soft 'chee-wit'; song melodious and far-carrying, with a repeated phrase of 2-3 syllables, performed from the ground or in song-flight.
Distribution. Locally common resident of N Africa and Middle East. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Arid, hilly terrain with large stones and boulders, and scattered vegetation, such as rocky slopes, lava deserts, etc.; not on all sandy terrain like dunes or beaches. Nests on the ground, usually near shrub or stone.
Food. Seeds and insects.