Black-crowned Finch Lark (Eremopterix nigriceps)

Lark, up to 11-12 cm long, which presents a pronounced sexual dimorphism. The male has a black head, throat and underparts, in sharp contrast to the greyish-tan tones of the upperparts. The female has a pale brown upper body and breast, with whitish underparts. A striking feature of this species is its thick robust bill, which is far more similar to that of a finch than a lark. Typical of the transition zone between the Sahara and the savannah of the Sahel, this bird is present in Cape Verde, where it is found throughout the eastern and Sotavento Islands (Boavista, Maio, Santiago and Fogo), although it has been observed in São Vicente, Raso, São Nicolau, Sal and Brava, where it may also nest. It prefers semi-arid plains and consolidated sandy soils, but also frequents arable land and the perimeters of built-up areas. It feeds on insects and seeds, usually from the ground and often in flocks, as it is very gregarious outside of the breeding season. It nests from late August to March, but more commonly between summer and autumn because breeding is closely linked to rainfall, which is often monsoon-like in Cape Verde. A clutch of 2-3 eggs is laid in a tiny fragile nest of twigs in the ground or under a rock. Both the male and female incubate the eggs. The finch lark is common in several islands, particularly Boavista and Maio, where it is also widely distributed, while in Santiago and Fogo, it is only present in certain sectors, where it is locally abundant. This species is not considered to be endangered and appears to have gradually extended its range in the past few decades, a clear example being the numerous sightings on Sal.