Collared Lark Mirafra collaris Scientific name definitions

13–15 cm. Plain rufous lark with distinctive black breastband. Has face quite well marked, with prominent whitish supercilium; crown and ear-coverts rufous, nape and neck side whitish with black streaks, forming distinct hindcollar; upperparts rufous, fine white streaks formed by pale edges of inner feather margins, wing-coverts edged paler buff in fresh plumage; blackish flight-feathers and tail (distinctive in flight), primaries tipped and edged white; throat white, sharply defined black band on upper breast, contrasting also with rufous-streaked lower breast, rest of underparts paler; eyes brown; bill dark brown above, whitish below; legs pale pink-brown. Distinguished from superficially similar Calendulauda alopex by collar, breast­band and blackish flight-feathers. Sexes alike. Juvenile lacks distinctive collar, has pale-fringed upperpart feathers with dark subterminal bands (scaly appearance), buffy breast with blackish-brown spots, white belly.

SE & S Ethiopia, Somalia and NE & E Kenya.

Semi-arid savanna, grassland with scattered shrubs, and open acacia (Acacia) and Commiphora woodland. Invariably found on red sands.

Male song  a plaintive, ascending whistle  that increases in volume, then fades away, usually uttered from perch after wing-clapping display-flight, sometimes also while descending from display.