Jerdon's Bush Lark

The Jerdon's bush lark, known scientifically as Mirafra affinis, is a modestly adorned avian species belonging to the Alaudidae family. It is a bird that captures the essence of the South Asian landscapes, with its understated beauty and harmonious existence within its environment.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify Jerdon's bush lark, one should look for the distinctive arrowhead-like spots pointing upwards on its breast. This species is often confused with the Indian bush lark, but keen observers will note the Jerdon's bush lark's buffy lores, less white behind the ear coverts, and darker centers to the wing coverts and central tail feathers. The primary coverts display dark centers that are quite prominent, and the wing panels are a duller rufous compared to its relatives. The subspecies found in the southern Western Ghats, known as the race ceylonensis, is darker and more rufous on the underside and boasts a longer bill. Overall, the underparts of Jerdon's bush lark are paler and greyish-brown.

Habitat

This adaptable bird can be found in a variety of open habitats, which include the perimeters of forests, rocky scrublands, meadows on scrubby hills, clearings within open-type forests, shrub-edged fallow croplands, and dense bamboo thickets, up to an elevation of 1500 meters.

Distribution

The Jerdon's bush lark graces the landscapes of south-east India and Sri Lanka, with an estimated global extent of occurrence spanning 100,000 to 1,000,000 square kilometers.

Behaviour

The Jerdon's bush lark exhibits a song-flight that mirrors that of the Indian bush lark. However, it distinguishes itself by often perching on trees and wires, a behavior not commonly seen in its close relatives.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Jerdon's bush lark includes a dry rattle, which it delivers from its perch, adding a unique soundtrack to the regions it inhabits.

Conservation Status

The Jerdon's bush lark is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival.

In the spirit of Thomas C. Jerdon, the surgeon-naturalist after whom this bird is named, we continue to observe and appreciate the subtle intricacies of the Jerdon's bush lark, a bird that so elegantly embodies the essence of the South Asian avifauna.