Plocealauda affinis
The Jerdon's Bush Lark (Plocealauda affinis) is a small, compact songbird measuring approximately 14-16 cm in length with a weight typically ranging from 20-25 grams. Its plumage is characterized by streaked brown upperparts, a distinctive rufous wash on its wings, and whitish underparts adorned with a heavily streaked breast. Key field marks for identification include its pale supercilium, a relatively short and stout bill, and visible white outer tail feathers, especially noticeable during ...
Found in dry, open grasslands, scrubland, fallow fields, and cultivated plains, often with scattered bushes. Occupies elevations from sea level up to approximately 1500 meters.
Feeds predominantly on insects, such as beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, supplemented by seeds of various grasses and weeds. Forages by gleaning from the ground.
Jerdon's Bush Lark is primarily diurnal, spending most of its active hours foraging on the ground. It employs a walk-and-run foraging strategy, gleaning insects and seeds, and occasionally makes short aerial sallies to catch flying prey. Males establish and defend breeding territories through vig...
Jerdon's Bush Lark is a resident species distributed widely across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Its breeding range spans from the low-lying regions and Himalayan foothills of Nepal and Bhutan, eastward through northeastern India (including Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal) an...
Least Concern
- This species was named after Thomas C. Jerdon, a renowned British zoologist who extensively documented Indian fauna. - Its scientific classification recently shifted from the genus *Mirafra* to *Plocealauda* following comprehensive genetic studies. - Jerdon's Bush Lark is celebrated for its int...