Singing Bushlark

Mirafra javanica

Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, S Vic IMG_7953 20241201 - horsfieldii CLICK for another the day after.

Notes: Small; stocky; stout bill; short tail. Distinctive wing panel formed from bold rufous margins
to feathers. Nine ssp in Aust. – paler grey inland, upperparts darker in humid regions:
e.g. woodwardi, rufescens, melvillensis, athertonensis & secunda are notably rufous-tinged, while
especially halli & horsfieldii are markedly grey above & pale buffish below. Flight w. jerky wing
beats; hovers before dropping into dense cover. Forages on ground.

Range from Australian Bird Guide(2019)©