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Singing Bushlark Mirafra javanica
Average size 13cm
 
These are found from the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, through Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia to Shark Bay but are vagrant in Tasmania. Global distribution is from Nigeria to Arabia, India and the Malay Archipelago. Preferred habitat is tropical and temperate grasslands, open woodlands, cereal crops and sparse sugar cane fields.
It is mainly found on the ground and runs without bobbing, this and its’ smaller size distinguish it from the Australasian Pipit. If disturbed, it may fly low to the ground in short jerky swoops, with the neck stretched so that the head is held up and the tail is pointed down. The wings in flight appear short and broad. The Singing Bushlark is also known as the Horsfield's, Australasian or Brown Bushlark.
They feed on grasses, seeds and insects. It often forages alone, but sometimes is found in small parties, foraging on the ground.
Breeding season is between September and January, breeding follows significant rainfall in arid areas. It builds a deep, cup-shaped nest in a natural depression or a hollow scrape in the ground which is usually lined with dry grasses, a hood of dry grasses is often built over the nest.
 
 
 
Singing Busharks are described as having no crest however in these two photos of the same bird the photo on the left shows the bird with a crest, this could be due to a breeze.
 
       
       
 
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