Alauda | |
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Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Alaudidae |
Genus: | Alauda Linnaeus, 1758 |
Type species | |
Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758 | |
Species | |
see text |
Alauda is a genus of larks found across much of Europe, Asia and in the mountains of north Africa, and one of the species (the Raso lark) endemic to the islet of Raso in the Cape Verde Islands. [1] Further, at least two additional species are known from the fossil record. The current genus name is from Latin alauda, "lark". Pliny the Elder thought the word was originally of Celtic origin. [2]
The genus Alauda was introduced by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae . [3] The type species was subsequently designated as the Eurasian skylark. [4]
The genus Alauda has four extant and at least two extinct species. Formerly, many other species have also been considered to belong to the genus.
The genus contains four species: [1]
Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
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![]() | Alauda leucoptera | White-winged lark | southern Ukraine through Kazakhstan to south-central Russia |
![]() | Alauda razae | Raso lark | Raso islet in the Cape Verde Islands |
![]() | Alauda gulgula | Oriental skylark | southern, central and eastern Asia |
![]() | Alauda arvensis | Eurasian skylark | across Europe and Asia |
Previously, some authorities also classified the following species (or subspecies) as species within the genus Alauda:
The calandra lark or European calandra-lark breeds in warm temperate countries around the Mediterranean and eastwards through Turkey into northern Iran and southern Russia. It is replaced further east by its relative, the bimaculated lark.
The Malabar lark, or Malabar crested lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in western India.
Melanocorypha is a small genus of birds in the lark family. The current genus name, Melanocorypha is from Ancient Greek melas, "black", and koruphos a term used by ancient writer for a now unknown bird, but here confused with korudos, "lark".
Sykes's lark is a species of lark found in the dry open country of India. Its distribution is mainly restricted to central India, although stray records have been found elsewhere on the sub-continent. It is identified by its prominent crest and its overall rufous colouration. It has streaks on its breast which are less prominent than those found in the Oriental skylark.
Galerida is a genus of birds in the family Alaudidae. The current scientific name is derived from Latin. Galerida was the name for a lark with a crest, from galerum, "cap". The name Galerida is synonymous with the earlier genus names Calendula, Heliocorys and Ptilocorys.
The red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea, is a small passerine bird. This lark breeds in the highlands of eastern Africa southwards from Ethiopia and Somaliland. In the south, its range stretches across the continent to Angola and south to the Cape in South Africa.
Mirafra is a genus of lark in the family Alaudidae. Some Mirafra species are called "larks", while others are called "bush larks". They are found from Africa through South Asia to Australia.
The pink-breasted lark or pink-breasted bushlark is a species of passerine bird in the family Alaudidae.
The sabota lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in southern Africa in its natural habitats of dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.
Spizocorys is a genus of African larks in the family Alaudidae found in southern and eastern Africa.
The bar-tailed lark, or bar-tailed desert lark, is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. Two other species, the rufous-tailed lark and the Cape clapper lark are both also sometimes referred to using the name bar-tailed lark. It is found from Morocco to Pakistan. Its natural habitat is hot deserts. This is in many places a common species, but elsewhere rather less common. It has a very wide distribution and faces no obvious threats, but surveys have shown that it is slowly decreasing in numbers. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Ammomanes is a genus of lark in the family Alaudidae.
Gray's lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in south-western Africa in its natural habitat of hot deserts.
Calandrella is a genus of larks in the family Alaudidae.
The Karoo lark should not be confused with the similarly named Karoo long-billed lark.
Certhilauda is a genus of larks in the family Alaudidae living in the southern regions of Africa. The genus was formerly named Heterocorys.
Barlow's lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Namibia and South Africa where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The red lark, also known as the ferruginous lark or ferruginous sand-lark, is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in western South Africa and possibly Namibia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The dune lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is endemic to Namibia where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.
The Mongolian lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found from southern Russia and Mongolia to central China.
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