About Spizocorys starki (Shelley, 1902)
This species, commonly known as Stark's lark, is a pale, medium-small lark. It has a pale, stout bill that looks slightly swollen. Its sandy-brown upperparts have a subtle streaky pattern, and it has a distinct pale eyebrow. The underparts are whitish with faint streaking, and the lark often has a raised, streaked crest. Stark's Larks are highly mobile and display nomadic behavior. After rainfall, they can form flocks that range from small to large, and they will occasionally associate with other species like sparrow-larks or buntings. These birds prefer arid grasslands with gravel substrates, and they avoid sandy areas. To handle high ambient temperatures, they seek shade and hold a specific posture: they keep their crest elevated, hold their mouth open, partially close their eyes, and droop their wings. During courtship displays, they perform aerial acrobatics accompanied by a mix of trills, whistles, and chirps.
