Field Identification of Bushlarks(Genus: Mirafra)

The genus Mirafra contains the Bush-Larks, which are found in well-wooded districts. They frequently perch on bushes and low trees and they take short flights in the air. Their song is pleasant but weak. 

In Mirafra the bill is thick and short and the nostrils are quite exposed to view ; there are ten primaries in the wing, the first of which is about a half or a third the length of the second ; the hind claw is much longer than the hind toe and gently curved.

Larks From Genus: Mirafra  (Souce: Birds Of India, Krys Kazmierczak)

1. Singing Bushlark (Mirafra cantillans) 14cm

 In general looks similar to other bush lark but it has longer tail than other Mirafra members and slim build. The bill is smaller & less curvy. Very fine breast streaking, often confined to the side of breast. Breast buff-coloured, but whitish throat and upper breast distinct, especially when singing (not rich fulvous as in M. Assamica). The call is sharp and high pitch.

2.Indian Bushlark (Mirafra erythroptera) 14cm

As its species name indicate ‘erythroptera’ i.e red winged. It has prominent rufous color primaries than other bush larks. This bird has cheek patch completely bounded by white supercilium and post auricular border. Crown and upper parts heavily streaked. Pale underparts have large spots on the breast while belly has very less or no streaks. 

The Bengal Bush Lark was earlier classified into several races, the Bengal race assamica and the Madras race affinis. These were subsequently split, on the basis of diagnostic song and display characters, into the Jerdon's Bush Lark (Mirafra affinis) and Bengal Bushlark (M.assamica) in the strict sense. 

For more details please see link  Alstrom-Mirafra.pdf

3. Bengal Bushlark  (Mirafra assamica)

Crown& Nape has Brownish-grey and indistinctly streaked. Supercilium relatively indistinct. Ear coverts are brownish and poorly patterned. Rufous buff on under parts, with grey-brown or black diffused streaks on breast.

4.Jerdon’s Bushlark  (Mirafra affinis)

Crown & nape Brownish-buff or rufescent grey-brown, Prominent blackish- Brown streaks. At side of nape, a distinct yellow band is seen. Supercilium is relatively narrow and usually more buffish in front of eye.Ear coverts are pale grey brown with more dark streaks. Forming dark rear borders Underparts are paler and have strong, large streaks on breast often contrasting with under parts.

The differences within the genus Mirafra are often very subtle and confusing with many differences apparent only when specimens are examined in hand. Still this is small effort to enjoy field identification of Bushlarks.