Chersomanes beesleyi
Beesley's Lark (Chersomanes beesleyi) is a diminutive and highly range-restricted passerine, classified within the Alaudidae family. It measures approximately 13-14 cm in length, weighing about 20-25 grams. Its plumage is predominantly sandy brown to rufous-brown above, heavily streaked with dark brown, providing excellent camouflage against its arid grassland habitat. Distinctive field marks include a pale supercilium, a dark eye-stripe, and a pale underbelly, often with sparse streaking on ...
This lark inhabits open, sparsely vegetated short-grassland and savanna habitats, typically on red volcanic soils, often associated with degraded or heavily grazed areas. It occurs at elevations generally between 1,400 to 1,600 meters (4,600-5,250 feet) above sea level.
It primarily feeds on small insects, particularly beetles, ants, and termites, supplemented by grass seeds, especially during dry seasons. Foraging occurs by gleaning and probing on the ground.
Beesley's Lark is primarily a terrestrial species, spending most of its time foraging on the ground, exhibiting a rather inconspicuous demeanor. Foraging involves slow, deliberate walks and occasional short dashes to catch prey, often probing the soil with its bill. It is believed to be monogamou...
Beesley's Lark is an extremely localized endemic species, confined entirely to a small, fragmented range in northern Tanzania, East Africa. Its primary known distribution is concentrated around the Makuyuni area between Arusha and Tarangire National Park, within the Arusha Region. Historically, i...
Critically Endangered
- Beesley's Lark is named after its discoverer, the ornithologist George Beesley, who collected the type specimen in 1948 near Arusha, Tanzania. - It is one of the most geographically restricted bird species on Earth, known from only a handful of fragmented sites in Tanzania. - Despite its small ...