Friedmann's lark (Mirafra pulpa) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in East Africa.
Formerly, some authorities considered Friedmann's lark to be a subspecies of the singing bush lark.[1] Alternate names for the species include Friedmann's bush lark, rufous lark and Sagon lark.
It is best identified by its distinctive song; a long, drawn-out singular note, hoo-ee-oo (with slight stress on the ee), repeated at 1 or 2 second intervals. It is heard more often at night, and given while atop a bush or during undulating display flights.
Friedmann's lark is found in southern Ethiopia, central and south-eastern Kenya, and north-eastern Tanzania, but its population and exact range are very poorly known.[2] The type specimen was collected in Ethiopia (from the Konso-Sagan area) in 1992, having been seen only one time since, in 1998; but most of what is known comes primarily from data collected in Tsavo East and West National Parks, in Kenya.[2] There are also a few records from Tanzania, from Mkomazi Game Reserve, south of Arusha.[2]
In general, the natural habitats of Friedmann's lark are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grasslands.[3] Being aloof and shy, it apparently chooses the moister (or less dry), ranker-growing of these areas, and where it can find it, those with more bush-cover. This is in contrast to the more dry, and more open environs preferred by many other species of lark.[2]
It is nearly always witnessed only during certain times of year (in Tanzania, during rainy season, for example), to the exclusion of other times; and often amongst other migrant species. These observations would seem to suggest that it is a migratory bird, but more corroborating data is needed to make a definitive determination.[2]
Friedmann's lark appears to subsist mainly on small beetles, grasshoppers and other insects, as well as grass seeds.[2]