Black lark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Black lark
Black Lark - Kazakistan S4E9836 (16946135312)-cropped.jpg

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Melanocorypha
Species:
M. yeltoniensis
Binomial name
Melanocorypha yeltoniensis
(Forster, 1768)
Melanocorypha yeltoniensis distribution map.png
Synonyms
  • Alauda yeltoniensis

The black lark (Melanocorypha yeltoniensis) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in south-eastern Russia and Kazakhstan.

Taxonomy and systematics[]

The black lark was originally placed in the genus Alauda.[2] The current genus name is from Ancient Greek. Melanocorypha is from melas, "black", and koruphos a term used by ancient writers for a now unknown bird, but here confused with korudos, "lark". The specific yeltoniensis is from Lake Yelton in the Volgograd region of Russia.[3]

Description[]

This is a large, robust lark, 18–20.5 cm (7.1–8.1 in) in length. The adult male is unmistakable, being all black with some pale feather fringes on its back, and with a yellowish or pink bill. The female is undistinguished in comparison, mainly dark-blotched grey above and paler below. Her legs and underwing are black.

The song is like a frantic version of that of Eurasian skylark.

Distribution and habitat[]

This is a bird of open steppe, often near water. It is partially migratory, with birds from the northwest of its breeding range moving south-east to winter further into Russia and neighbouring countries, as far as the northern Black Sea coasts in southern Ukraine.

The black lark is a very rare vagrant away from its breeding range, with records during both spring and autumn passage periods, and also in winter; the following is a complete list of European records away from the breeding range and normal wintering range as of 2005.[citation needed]

  • 1803 Italy. A male at Alessandria, Piedmont, on an unknown date in autumn
  • 19th Century Austria. Three males, one shot, at , Vienna, on an unknown date between 1857 & 1874
  • 1874 North Sea. A female on Heligoland (then British) on 27 April
  • 1892 North Sea. A male on Heligoland (then German) on 27 July
  • 1897 Moldova. One in March
  • 1900 Romania. One in Dobruja in March
  • 1914 Turkey. One at Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, on 14 October
  • 1929 Malta. One in winter
  • 1930 Greece. One at Athens in spring
  • 1958 Greece A male at Athens on 20 April
  • 1961 Italy. One at Manfredonia, Apulia, on 3 May
  • 1963 Greece. A flock of eight at Lake Koronia on 20 February
  • 1964 Greece. Two at the on 8 February
  • 1981 Czech Republic. A male at Zakupy on 28 November
  • 1984 Great Britain. (England) A male at Spurn, Yorkshire on 27 April
  • 1988 Poland. One at Kosienice on 17 January
  • 1989 Finland. A male at Joensuu on 24 March
  • 1989 Finland. A male at Korpo on 8 April
  • 1993 Sweden. A male at Karlstad on 6 & 7 May
  • 1995 Bulgaria. A female at Cape Kaliakra on 25 May
  • 2003 Great Britain. (Wales) A male at RSPB South Stack, Anglesey from 1 to 8 June

An individual was also recorded on an unknown date (prior to 2003) in Lebanon.

Behaviour and ecology[]

Its nest is on the ground, with 4–5 eggs being laid. Food is seeds and insects, the latter especially in the breeding season. It is gregarious in winter.

References[]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Melanocorypha yeltoniensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Melanocorypha yeltoniensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  3. ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 247, 412. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
Retrieved from ""