Greater Hoopoe-Lark (Alaemon alaudipes doriae (Salvadori, 1868)) LRK, India, Jan 2015 Greater Hoopoe-larks occurs in the most absolutely bare and featureless regions where other larks do not venture and occasionally in regions with sparse and stunted growths of bush, but is above all a form of the flat and open stretches of the desert. They are quite large, attenuated lark, with character on ground recalling large pipit until long, decurved bill (often held above horizontal) seen. They feed largely on insects and, where available, snails; also a little plant material. Much animal food obtained by digging with bill. Walks slowly along and, without appearing to pause and listen, suddenly stops to dig fiercely, sometimes for 3–4 min; will dig into 5 cm of sand, often quite hard and rock-like. Prey thus taken are normally insect larvae, but has been seen to dig out and kill a small gecko.!!!!!….. Song of Male Hoopoe Lark is characteristic feature of desert. Song is ringing and far-carrying, musical, melodious, plaintive, piping, or fluting; quality frequently likened to Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos. Song typically of 3 parts: a series of fluting sounds, then a trill, and finally another series of fluting sounds; these delivered during Song-flight. They nest in or on top of bush or low shrub, 30–60 cm above ground; also, perhaps less often, on ground in shelter of rock or bush. Nest: when above ground, constructed of twigs woven into bush, and lined with softer material; on ground, in shallow scrape lined with twigs and with soft inner lining of wool and plant down. The eastern most range of Hoopoe Lark is Kutch and Sind. The best place to see and photograph them is Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Although found in Great Rann of Kutch too.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:45:56 +0000
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