Eastern clapper lark

Appearance

This lark is a 15-cm-long bird, with a brown crown, rich rufous underparts, and a strong bill. It has brown upperparts. Its call is an ascending "''pooooeeeee''".

Naming

Five subspecies are recognized:
⤷  ''M. f. reynoldsi'' - Benson & Irwin, 1965: Found in northern Namibia, northern Botswana and south-western Zambia
⤷  ''M. f. jappi'' - Traylor, 1962: Found in western Namibia
⤷  ''M. f. nata'' - Smithers, 1955: Found in north-eastern Botswana
⤷  ''M. f. damarensis'' - Sharpe, 1875: Found in northern and central Namibia, western and central Botswana
⤷  ''M. f. fasciolata'' - : Found in south-central Botswana, northern and central South Africa

Distribution

The eastern clapper lark is found in much of the drier parts of southern Africa in Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa.

Behavior

The eastern clapper lark is a skulking species, difficult to find when not displaying. It is not gregarious, and individuals tend to be seen in dry habitats feeding on the ground on seeds and insects. The display commences with an ascending flight with wing flapping. It then parachutes down with trailing legs.

Habitat

It is a species of open grassland and savannah.