About Ammomanes cinctura (Gould, 1839)
This species, commonly called the bar-tailed lark, has the scientific name Ammomanes cinctura (Gould, 1839). In appearance, it is similar to the desert lark, but it is slightly smaller, measuring 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in) in length. It has a smaller, more domed head, a smaller beak, thinner legs, and a shorter tail than the desert lark. Its upper parts are sandy-buff washed with grey, while its underparts are whitish with little to no streaking, and the breast and flanks are washed with buff. Its wings are rufous with dark trailing edges, and its rufous tail has a terminal black band. The bar-tailed lark has a large distribution across North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and western Asia. Its confirmed range includes Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Cape Verde, Chad, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, and Yemen. Its typical habitat is sandy or stony desert or semi-desert with low scrubby vegetation. It is generally shier than the desert lark. It prefers level ground, while the desert lark most often frequents rocky slopes and hillsides.
