The brown songlark, also Australian songlark, is a small passerine bird found throughout much of Australia. A member of the family Locustellidae, this species is notable for sexual size dimorphism, among the most pronounced in any bird. It is a moderate-sized bird of nondescript plumage; the female brownish above and paler below, the larger male a darker brown.
Region
Australia
Typical Environment
Found widely across southern and inland Australia, avoiding dense forests and very arid deserts. Prefers open grasslands, saltbush/chenopod shrublands, lightly wooded paddocks, and agricultural stubbles. Often benefits from cleared land and pasture where grasses and forbs are abundant. After good rains it may expand into drier interiors, tracking food availability.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The brown songlark shows extreme sexual size dimorphism, with males often more than twice the mass of females. Males deliver a far-carrying, elaborate song during prolonged display flights over open country. This species is highly responsive to rainfall, shifting breeding and local movements to take advantage of fresh growth and insect flushes.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding arcs; males perform extended soaring display flights
Social Behavior
During breeding the male holds a territory in open grassland and sings from perches or in sustained song-flights. Nests are shallow cups on or near the ground, usually in grass tussocks or low shrubs. Outside breeding, birds may become loosely gregarious and wander nomadically following rainfall.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A loud, far-carrying series of rich, varied phrases delivered continuously during display flights. Calls include sharp chacks and softer contact notes from cover. The song is conspicuous over open paddocks and grasslands, often heard before the bird is seen.
Plumage
Plain, streaked brown above with paler, lightly streaked underparts; females are paler and smaller, males darker and bulkier. Feathers are soft and subtly mottled, giving excellent camouflage in dry grass.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders, supplemented with seeds of grasses and forbs. Opportunistically takes other small invertebrates when abundant. Diet shifts seasonally with rainfall, increasing insect intake during flushes after rain.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly on the ground in open grassy areas, stubble fields, and saltbush plains. Often uses fence lines, low perches, and tussock edges to scan before dropping to the ground to pick prey.
