Raso Lark - Ecology

Ecology

Most Raso Larks are found on level plains with volcanic soil and is associated with small vegetated patches along dry stream beds in which it feeds and breeds (Ratcliffe et al. 1999). A number of desert-dwelling larks have evolved long bills, apparently to aid digging for food in a sandy environment. Flocks have also been observed feeding among rocks close to the sea, and the birds excavate holes in sand soil to extract the small bulbs of nets edges, which are perennial weeds in the sedge family and superficially resemble grasses. Breeding is very unpredictable with the Raso Lark, simply because it is governed by the slight and irregular rains. Their population changes rapidly in response to rain; a prerequisite for breeding, and has fallen to extremely low levels during droughts (Ratcliffe et al. 1999, Donald et al. 2003, Donald and Brooke 2006). However, the Raso Lark isn't very fit. Fitness is defined not as strength, but as reproductive success, and in the case of the Raso Lark, their reproductive success is very low. Most of their population is male-biased. The adult sex ratio is a key parameter of the demography of animal populations and the Raso Lark is very male aggressive, hence their future chances of reproductive success is also endangered. Within their environment, the gecko, whom weigh roughly a hundred grams and include birds in their diet. It also has other predators which make it very difficult for them to survive, such as: Cats (Felis Catus), Dogs (Canis Familiaris), Rats (Rattus spp.), and other Birds (Falco neglectus, Corvus ruficollis, and Tyto detorta). Many aspects of the species’ ecology and behaviour closely resemble that of Skylark, suggesting that the species’ current placing in the genus Alauda is correct.