Ashy Crown Sparrowlark

This bird is smaller than size of a sparrow.As the name indicates the male is sandy brown above,black below with a ashy crown and prominent whitish cheeks.The female is sandy brown in color.They are commonly seen on earthen roads with pebbles and clods, on open field and dry river beds.

Fig.Male ashy crown sparrow lark feeding the young


The amazing feature of this bird is it's aerial flight.The bird shoots straight upwards and nose-dives steeply to some distance with wings closed at it's side.He repeats this aerial display two to three times till breath takingly near to dashing himself on the ground, he flattens out and rest on a stone or clod.