Botha's lark

Botha's lark (Spizocorys fringillaris) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae.

Botha's lark
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Spizocorys
Species:
S. fringillaris
Binomial name
Spizocorys fringillaris
(Sundevall, 1850)
IUCN range
  Extant (resident)
Synonyms
  • Alauda fringillaris
  • Botha difficilis
  • Botha fringillaris
  • Calandrella fringillaris
  • Spizocorys difficilis

It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and pastureland. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Taxonomy and systematics

Botha's lark was originally placed in the genus Alauda. Formerly, some authorities have classified it within either the genus Calandrella or the monotypic genus Botha. An alternate species name of difficilis has also been used to describe Botha's lark.[2][3]

Behaviour and ecology

Food and feeding

The diet of Botha's lark includes seeds and insects, including beetles and moths.[4]

Threats and conservation

Botha's lark is assessed as Endangered according to SANBI and the IUCN due to the decline of less than 2500 mature individuals in less than 20 locations, its localised geographic range, and loss of habitat due to farming.[5][1]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2019). "Spizocorys fringillaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22717368A155302134. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22717368A155302134.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. "Spizocorys fringillaris - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2014-08-28). The Eponym Dictionary of Birds. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781472905741.
  4. Ryan, Peter (2020). Del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David; De Juana, Eduardo (eds.). "Botha's Lark (Spizocorys fringillaris)". www.hbw.com. doi:10.2173/bow.botlar1.01. S2CID 216175038. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  5. "Red List of South African Species - Spizocorys fringillaris". speciesstatus.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
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