Temminck's lark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temminck's lark |
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Eremophila (bird)
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| Species: |
bilopha
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The Temminck's lark (scientific name: Eremophila bilopha) is a cool bird that belongs to the Alaudidae family, which are known as larks. You might also hear it called the Temminck's horned lark. This bird lives and has its babies across a large area, including most of North Africa, northern Saudi Arabia, and western Iraq.
Most Temminck's larks stay in one place all year. However, some of these songbirds travel south for the winter, which is called migrating. The bird's common name honors a Dutch scientist named Coenraad Jacob Temminck. Sadly, the number of these larks is going down in places like Israel. This is probably because they are losing their natural homes. Even so, the Temminck's lark is still common in many areas. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species, meaning it's not in immediate danger.
About Temminck's Lark
Temminck's lark was first placed in a group called Alauda. Later, scientists decided it fit better into the Eremophila group. This shows how scientists sometimes change how they classify animals as they learn more!
What Does Temminck's Lark Look Like?
Unlike many other larks, the Temminck's lark is easy to spot when it's on the ground. It looks a lot like its cousin, the horned lark, but it's a bit smaller.
This bird is about 14 to 15 centimeters (around 5.5 to 6 inches) long. Its back is mostly a reddish-brown-grey color, and its belly is pale. What really makes it stand out is its amazing black and white face pattern. It also has a clear black patch on its chest.
During the summer, the male Temminck's lark grows black "horns" on its head. These horns are why it's sometimes called the "horned lark"! Young Temminck's larks look different from the adults. They are reddish on top and pale underneath.
You can tell an adult Temminck's lark apart from a horned lark by its reddish feathers (instead of brown-grey). Also, the Temminck's lark doesn't have any yellow on its face. Its call sounds similar to the horned lark's, but it's not as harsh or metallic.
Where Temminck's Lark Lives
The Temminck's lark naturally lives in North Africa and the Middle East. You can find it in countries like Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.
This lark prefers to live in open, stony areas that are like a semi-desert. When it's time to build a nest, the female makes it on the ground. She usually lays two to four eggs. Temminck's larks mostly eat seeds. But during the breeding season, they also eat insects to get extra protein for their growing chicks.
