Grey-backed Sparrow-lark

By Charlie • April 15, 2007 • No comments yet

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark Eremopterix verticalis verticalis
The Karoo, Sept and Dec 2006, and the Agulhas Plains, April 2007

One of three species of sparrow-lark occurring in southern Africa, the Grey-backed Sparrow-lark is a SW African endemic found from coastal Angola throughout Zimabwe and Namibia, and down to the Cape. In South Africa it is perhaps most commonly found in the Karoo, where it can be easily seen feeding along the gravel roads that cut through the region. All three species are strongly sexually dimorphic, and all are nomadic following local rainfall in often large flocks.

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark
Males - the Karoo, September 2006

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark
Female - the Karoo, September 2006

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark
Male - the Karoo, December 2006

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark
Female - the Karoo, December 2006

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark
Immature - the Karoo, December 2006

Grey-backed Sparrow-lark
Female - Agulhas Plains, April 2007

All photos copyright Charlie Moores

• Tags: karroo, larks, south-africa

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About the Author

Charlie

Charlie works for an airline and has birded all over the world for twenty years. He wants to be a writer, and thinks no-one would believe his life could be so charmed if he didn't take photos of as many of the birds he sees as possible. Blogging with 10,000 Birds fits his aims, needs, and insecurities perfectly. Really - do birders get much more fortunate than this?