Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark

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. These larks are found in pairs or small groups and form larger flocks in winter. They forage on the ground for seeds and insects. When disturbed they will sometimes crouch and take to flight. They will take fallen grains in fields. They roost at night on the ground, making small depressions in the soil. The display of the male consists of a song flight that involves soaring up with some chirruping calls and then diving with partly closed wings and then rising up in a glide. This undulating flight is accompanied by a long low whistle at each dive and at the tip of each rise by a sharp chilp note. The display ends with the male descending at an angle and landing on a small mound or clod before repeating the performance after a few minutes. The name in some Hindi dialects for the bird is dabhak churi, which means crouching sparrow. In British India, it was shot for the table and considered as "ortolan".