Ashy-Crowned Sparrow-Lark

Habitat:

Scrubland at the base of the hill.

Notes:

Sparrow sized with a finch-like bill and short legs, these birds are usually seen sitting on the ground, and although they will sometimes perch on wires they do not perch in trees or bushes. The male is sandy brown overall with a black belly, chin, lower lores and eye stripe. The top of the head is ashy, although the base of these crown feathers are dark. The female is pale brown and very similar to a female house sparrow, although the legs are much shorter and appearing stockier and shorter-necked. The name in some Hindi dialects for the bird is dabhak churi, which means "crouching sparrow".