Includes Beesley's Lark
- Chersomanes albofasciata
Identification
Length 15 cm, mass 20-36 g.
The Spike-heeled Lark has a long, slightly decurved bill, an upright stance, a short, white-tipped tail and long, straight hind claws. The breast and belly vary from rufous to pale buff, contrasting with the white chin and throat.
Distribution
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana]], and southern Angola; there are small isolated populaions in southern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Tanzania.
Taxonomy
C. a. beesleyi was formerly recognized as a full species, Beesley's Lark.
Subspecies
Eleven subspecies are recognized[1]:
- C. a. obscurata from south-western, central and eastern Angola
- C. a. boweni from north-western Namibia (Cunene to Swakopmund, Usakos and Karibib)
- C. a. erikssoni from north-central Namibia (Ovamboland and Outjo)
- C. a. arenaria from southern Namibia Namibia and northwestern South Africa (Northern Cape)
- C. a. kalahariae from western and southern Botswana and north central South Africa (North West)
- C. a. barlowi from north-eastern Botswana
- C. a. albofasciata from southeastern Botswana and central South Africa
- C. a. garrula from western South Africa (Western Cape)
- C. a. macdonaldi from southern South Africa (southern and eastern Karoo)
- C. a. alticola from northeastern South Africa
- C. a. beesleyi from northern Tanzania (area just north of Mt. Meru)
Habitat
Sparse grassland and shrubland.
Behaviour
Generally found in pairs or groups of up to ten. Groups forage on the ground for invertebrates, seeds and fruit; often while a sentinel perches on a short bush or post.
Breeding: Usually monogamous, but sometimes breeds cooperatively. The nest is an open cup of plant material built by both sexes on the ground. Two to five eggs are laid, mainly August to December.
Vocalisation
The call is a short trill, piree-piree-piree.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v 13.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.13.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
- De Juana E, Suarez F & Ryan PG. 2004. Family Alaudidae (Larks). In: del Hoyo J, Elliott A & Christie D (eds) Handbook of the Birds of the World Vol. 9. Lynx, Barcelona. Pp. 496-541. ISBN 8487334695
- Dickinson EC (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. 3rd ed. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. ISBN 9780691117010
- Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533
- Sinclair I & Ryan P. 2003. Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0620207299
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
