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26

Rufous Songlark

(Cincloramphus mathewsi)

Sightings

A Rufous Songlark couple stayed as guest at our place, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales, during the summer of 2004.

The male is a prolific singer, either while seated as shown in a photo below or in flight. Its display flight is slow, while chirping with curved back. It moves around various conspicuous places to mark the boundaries of its territory.

A pair of Rufous Songlarks were permanent residents 20 km east of Narrabri during the summer of 2006. After their winter absence, they returned in late August 2007. Spotted at the time in various locations in the Narrabri area. At least 3 pairs had their adjacent territories around the house in the summer of 2007/08, leading to remarkable singing contests between the males.

Photos

Male Rufous Songlark in a treetop (click on image for larger version)

The same male Rufous Songlark starting its song (click on image for larger version)

Here the female he is trying to lure; she is sitting lower in the same tree (click on image for larger version)

Rufous Songlark 20 km east of Narrabri, a resident on the property in 2006 (click on image for larger version)

Here a resident of the 2007/08 season (click on image for larger version)

Close-up view of an immature Rufous Songlark; spotted in the summer of 2005, 20 km south of Narrabri (click on image for larger version)

Another immature Rufous Songlark... (click on image for larger version)

... seen here at a different angle (click on image for larger version)