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Rufous Songlark

Did you know?

During the breeding season the inside of the female Rufous Songlark's mouth is pinkish whereas the inside of the male's mouth becomes black, as does its bill. As males sing almost constantly in breeding season, the black colour may be seen.

Calls
Almost continuous in the breeding season, the song of the Rufous Songlark has been described as joyful, metallic, pleasant and musical. There is also a whip-like sound included.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
16cm
Maximum Size: 
19cm
Average size: 
18cm
Average weight: 
29g
Breeding season: 
August to Februrary
Clutch Size: 
2 to 3
Incubation: 
11 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Secure
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Not present
VIC: 
Secure
WA: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Cincloramphus mathewsi
Atlas Number: 
509
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Rufous Songlark is a mid-brown, streaked bird with a rufous rump and upper tail, pale eyebrow and pale underparts, and a dark line through its eye. In the breeding season the melodious song of the male Rufous Songlark is heard almost continuously, both from perches and in slow display flights between trees. The male (about 19 cm) is larger than the female (about 16 cm).

Similar species: 

Brown Songlark males are much larger than the Rufous Songlark and the females lack the rufous rump of the Rufous Songlark.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Rufous Songlark is found all over mainland Australia, but most commonly in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland.

Habitat: 

The Rufous Songlark favours open grassland, grassy open woodland, farmed land and mulga.

Seasonal movements: 

The Rufous Songlark is migratory, moving south to breed in summer, and returning north in the colder months

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Rufous Songlark feeds mainly on the ground, on insects and other small arthropods.

Breeding: 

The nest of the Rufous Songlark is a deep cup of grass on the ground in thick grass or other low vegetation, often sheltered on one side by something taller. It is the female that builds the nest, incubates the eggs and raises the young.

Living with us

Like the Brown Songlark, the Rufous Songlark includes farmland in its territory. They are occasionally killed by vehicles on roads.

References: 
Field guide to Australian Birds.
Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 7 (Dunnock to Starlings) Part B
The Wrens and Warblers of Australia.
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