Brown Songlark

The Brown Songlark, or Australian Songlark (Cincloramphus cruralis), presents a modest plumage, with the female donning a brownish hue above and paler below, while the larger male sports a darker brown. During the breeding season, males may exhibit a cinnamon flush. The species is distinguished by its sexual size dimorphism, one of the most pronounced in the avian world.

Identification Tips

Males measure between 23–25 cm in length, significantly larger than the 18–19 cm females. Males can weigh up to 2.3 times more than females. Both sexes have dusky pale-streaked darker brown plumage with pale eyebrows. The underparts are brownish-white in females and darker in males. Eyes and bill are black, legs are grey, and juveniles are smaller and paler with pinkish-brown bills. The male's song is a loud and creaky call, often heard from perches or in flight above their territory.

Habitat

The Brown Songlark favors open pastures and grassy scrublands, where it can be found foraging for seeds and insects.

Distribution

This bird is widespread across Australia, save for the far north and Tasmania. Populations are denser in the southern regions, and the species exhibits nomadic tendencies, often moving away from drought-stricken areas.

Behaviour

The Brown Songlark is highly nomadic, with local numbers varying with rainfall. It is known to vacate areas during droughts.

Breeding

Breeding takes place from August to December. The nest is a deep cup of plant material, hidden in shrubbery or tall grass. Typically, one clutch of 2 to 5 pale pink eggs, adorned with reddish-brown spots and flecks, is laid per season. Females are the primary caregivers, with nests sometimes falling prey to foxes and snakes.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males are notably larger than females and engage in direct competition for mates. This size difference is attributed to the open terrain of their habitat, which allows males to defend extensive territories and support multiple nesting females. Interestingly, female hatchlings emerge from larger eggs and initially outweigh their male siblings, potentially offering an early competitive edge, especially during food scarcity.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of seeds and insects, with a preference for spiders in male chicks, which provide essential amino acids for growth.

Conservation Status

The Brown Songlark is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a large range and common status. It is considered "secure" by Australian authorities.