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24

Singing Bushlark

(Mirafra javanica)
Alternate name(s): "Horsfield's Bushlark", "Australasian Bushlark",
"Cinnamon Bushlark", "Australian Skylark", "Croplark"
Aboriginal name(s): "tirtiyn tjaRuk"/"turti tjaRuk" [tjapwurrung, eastern djadjawurrung]

Size: 12-15 cm
Weight: 18-25 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Singing Bushlark at Wikipedia .

Click here for classification information

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "horsfieldii"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an adult Singing Bushlark on a gravel road
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2011]

Near-lateral view of a Singing Bushlark on the ground (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Lateral view of a Singing Bushlark looking at the observer
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2011]

Close-up lateral view of a Singing Bushlark on a barbed wire fence (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Near Narrabri, NSW, November 2020]

Lateral view of a Singing Bushlark
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2011]

Singing Bushlark seen at the very moment it launches itself into the air
[Goran Lake, NSW, October 2011]

Lateral view of s Singing Bushlark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2011]

Lateral view of a Singing Bushlark (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Oakey, QLD, January 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Singing Bushlark (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Lake Samsonvale, QLD, December 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Singing Bushlark (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Horseshoe Lagoon, Hodel Road, Burdekin, QLD, September 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a Singing Bushlark, now with its crest erect (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Horseshoe Lagoon, Hodel Road, Burdekin, QLD, September 2020]

Dorsal view of a Singing Bushlark (photo courtesy of A. Allnutt)
[Lake Cargelligo, NSW, January 2019]

Race "soderbergi"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an adult Singing Bushlark with its crest raised (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Singing Bushlark (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Near-frontal view of an adult Singing Bushlark issuing its call (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Singing Bushlark looking sideways (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Near-lateral view of a Singing Bushlark, first looking left... (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Oolloo Road, Douglas-Daly, NT, January 2021]

Near-lateral view of a Singing Bushlark, now looking right (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Oolloo Road, Douglas-Daly, NT, January 2021]

Near-lateral view of a Singing Bushlark (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, August 2013]

Lateral view of a Singing Bushlark (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, August 2013]

Male Singing Bushlark marking its territory from a high perch; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 11 November 2018 (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, NT, November 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Singing Bushlark in flight (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, August 2013]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Partly migratory Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

"Find the bird!" - Singing Bushlark relying on its camouflage to stay hidden (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Near Narrabri, NSW, November 2020]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

singlrk_20220912.mp3 horsfieldii
(NW NSW)
Territorial calls (male) © MD
singlrk_20141121.mp3 horsfieldii
(NW NSW)
Territorial calls
(male display flight)
© MD
singlrk_20151219.m4a horsfieldii
(NW NSW)
Territorial calls (male) © MD
 
singlrk_pb_20181111_2.m4a soderbergi
(Top End, NT)
Territorial calls (male) © PB
singlrk_pb_20181111.m4a soderbergi
(Top End, NT)
Territorial calls (male) + mimicry (Jacky Winter) © PB
singlrk_pb_20181111_3.m4a soderbergi
(Top End, NT)
Territorial calls (male) + mimicry (Jacky Winter) © PB
singlrk_pb_20190920.m4a soderbergi
(Top End, NT)
Mimicry (Lemon-bellied Flycatcher) © PB

More Singing Bushlark sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site?
If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.