Short-clawed lark

The short-clawed lark (Certhilauda chuana) or short-clawed bush-lark, is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Botswana and South Africa. Its natural habitat is dry savannah.

Short-clawed lark
In Limpopo, South Africa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Certhilauda
Species:
C. chuana
Binomial name
Certhilauda chuana
(Smith, 1836)
Synonyms
  • Alauda chuana
  • Certhilauda breviunguis
  • Heterocorys breviunguis
  • Mirafra chuana

Taxonomy and systematics

Originally, the short-clawed lark was classified as belonging to the genus Alauda and then Mirafra until moved to Calendulauda. Not all authorities recognize this re-classification from Mirafra.[2]

Behaviour and ecology

The species lays clutches of two or three eggs (average clutch sizes in two studies 2.27-2.75 eggs). The incubation lasts for around 15 days, the longest of any African lark species. After fledging, chicks remain with their parents for 6–8 weeks. There is some variation in nesting strategies in the species, with the eastern population (in South Africa) having numerous broods per breeding season and the western population (in Botswana) breeding once per season.

  • At Polokwane (Pietersburg), South Africa
    At Polokwane (Pietersburg), South Africa
  • Illustration by Keulemans of C. chuana (above) and A. grayi (below)
    Illustration by Keulemans of C. chuana (above) and A. grayi (below)

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Certhilauda chuana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22717164A94522672. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22717164A94522672.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. "Certhilauda chuana - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  • Engelbrecht, Derek (2005) "Breeding biology of the eastern population of the Short-clawed Lark in South Africa" Ostrich - Journal of African Ornithology, 76 (3-4_ 154-161
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