ASHY-CROWNED SPARROW LARK
EREMOPTERIX GRISEUS
Basic:
Size:
12-12 cm
5-5 Inch
Primary color: black
Secondary color: gray
(Bird may have more colors)
LOCAL NAMES:
Bengali: মেটেচাঁদি চড়ুইভরত
Gujarati: રાખોડી શિર ભોંયચકલી
Hindi: दियोरा
Kannada: ಕರಿಎದೆಯ ನೆಲಗುಬ್ಬಿ
Malayalam: കരിവയറൻ വാനമ്പാടി
Marathi: डोंबारी, चंडोल, माळचिमणी, भुरुळका चिमणी, वडीचिमणी, गोरली (आदिवासी भाग)
Nepali: चश्मे भारद्वाज
Tamil: வானம்பாடி
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IDENTITY:
Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark – A Tiny Wonder of Nature
In the realm of birds, the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark is a petite marvel, sporting a beak that’s nothing short of robust. For the gentlemen of the species, picture sandy-brown feathers up top, adorned with dashing white patches on their cheeks and chest. But there’s more to their style – their faces boast a rich, dark chocolate-brown, and their underbellies echo the same hue. As a finishing touch, their tails are dipped in dark brown, with a touch of whitish grace on the outer feathers. Now, for the ladies, they don a sandy-brown ensemble, spiced up with hints of rufous on their facial sides and undercarriage.
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HABIT AND HABITAT:
Where the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Roams
These dapper little birds are true wanderers, venturing into open scrublands, semi-cultivated domains, fallow river basins, and even the slippery tidal mudflats that stretch across the South Asian landscape. They’re not hermits, preferring to gather in loose flocks, casually scattered over the terrain, but they’ll cozy up into pairs or small gatherings when romance is in the air.
When mealtime rolls around, they keep it down-to-earth – literally. These birds have a penchant for dining on the ground, particularly in dusty locales where they can indulge in grass seeds, petite insects, and the occasional dainty beetle.
FOOD:
A Gourmet’s Palette – What the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Savors
When it’s time to dine, these birds have a modest taste but a hearty appetite. They’re not picky eaters, relishing a menu of grass seeds, minuscule insects, and the occasional dainty beetle.
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INFO:
Fascinating Tidbits about the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark
Here’s some trivia to fuel your curiosity about the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark:
- Nesting Artistry: They’re not just birds; they’re architects too! These birds nest in cavities, often seeking refuge in abandoned termite mounds.
- Family Matters: The female lays 3-5 eggs, and in about 12 days, these eggs hatch, welcoming chirping bundles of joy into the world.
- Taking Flight: Fast forward about 14 days, and these youngsters are ready to spread their wings and explore the world.
- Longevity: Ashy-crowned Sparrow Larks can grace the world with their presence for up to a decade, a testament to their resilience.
- Conservation Status: Thankfully, in South Asia, they’re not on the endangered list. These birds are here to stay, living their lives to the fullest!
