Nest And Nuptial Bower - Eastern Clapper Lark

One of the intriguing things about lark biology is that some species build domed nests while others nest in open cups.

- Derek Engelbrecht

Domed nests are the gold standard in the mirafrid clade of larks comprising the genera Mirafra and Calendulauda, but they are occasionally also found in other genera. However, not all domes are created equal and they may range from flimsy and almost see-through to thick and solid, thatched structures. Despite the additional time and effort required to construct a dome, there is no clear evidence that domed nests provide significant thermo regulatory or anti-predatory benefits to breeding birds. So why build a domed nest?

I believe we came a step closer to solving the mystery when, during recent field work in the Bloemfontein district, I encountered an Eastern Clapper Lark