Flappet lark

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Flappet lark
Flappet Lark, Sakania, DR Congo (16025285505), crop.jpg
A. r. fischeri in the DRC
Flappet lark (Mirafra rufocinnamomea kawirondensis), crop.jpg
A. r. kawirondensis in Uganda
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Amirafra
Species:
A. rufocinnamomea
Binomial name
Amirafra rufocinnamomea
(Salvadori, 1866)
Subspecies

See text

Mirafra rufocinnamomea distribution map.png
     resident range [2]
Synonyms
  • Megalophonus rufocinnamomea
  • Mirafra fischeri
  • Mirafra rufo-cinnamomea

The flappet lark (Amirafra rufocinnamomea) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae that is widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa. The name flappet originates from the distinctive wing flapping sound made during its breeding season. [3]

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

The flappet lark and the Cape clapper lark are regarded as forming a superspecies with the Eastern clapper lark. [4] The alternate name "cinnamon bush lark" is also an alternate name for the singing bush lark.

The flappet lark was formerly placed in the genus Mirafra . It is one of three species that were moved to the resurrected genus Amirafra based on the results of a large molecular genetic study by the Swedish ornithologist Per Alström and collaborators that was published in 2023. [5] [6]

Subspecies

Fifteen subspecies are recognised: [5]

Distribution and habitat

The flappet lark has a large range covering much of the African continent with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km2. [1] Its natural habitats are dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.

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Larks are passerine birds of the family Alaudidae. Larks have a cosmopolitan distribution with the largest number of species occurring in Africa. Only a single species, the horned lark, occurs in North America, and only Horsfield's bush lark occurs in Australia. Habitats vary widely, but many species live in dry regions. When the word "lark" is used without specification, it often refers to the Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerdon's bush lark</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singing bush lark</span> Species of bird

The singing bush lark or Horsfield's bush lark is a species of lark which inhabits grassland throughout most of Australia and much of Southeast Asia. It was described by the American naturalist Thomas Horsfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian bush lark</span> Species of bird

The Indian bush lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in South Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape clapper lark</span> Species of bird

The Cape clapper lark is a small passerine bird which breeds in southern Africa. It derives its name from the wing clapping which forms part of the display flight. The Cape clapper lark is a species of open grassland and savannah, also inhabiting karoo, fynbos and fallow agricultural land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern clapper lark</span> Species of bird

The eastern clapper lark is a small passerine bird which breeds in southern Africa. It derives its name from the wing clapping which forms part of its display flight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collared lark</span> Species of bird

The collared lark or collared bushlark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in East Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indochinese bush lark</span> Species of bird

The Indochinese bush lark or Indochinese lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gillett's lark</span> Species of bird

Gillett's lark or Gillett's bushlark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in eastern Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burmese bush lark</span> Species of bird

The Burmese bush lark or Burmese lark, is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rusty bush lark</span> Species of bird

The rusty bush lark, also known as the rusty lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in the Sahel region of north-central Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-naped lark</span> Species of bird

The rufous-naped lark or rufous-naped bush lark is a widespread and conspicuous species of lark in the lightly wooded grasslands, open savannas and farmlands of the Afrotropics. Males attract attention to themselves by a bold and often repeated wing-fluttering display from a prominent perch, which is accompanied by a melodious and far-carrying whistled phrase. This rudimentary display has been proposed as the precursor to the wing-clapping displays of other bush lark species. They have consistently rufous outer wings and a short erectile crest, but the remaining plumage hues and markings are individually and geographically variable. It has a straight lower, and longish, curved upper mandible.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-tailed lark</span> Species of bird

The white-tailed lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in Africa.

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<i>Plocealauda</i> Genus of birds

Plocealauda is a genus of larks in the family Alaudidae. Introduced in 2023, it contains five species that were formerly placed in the genus Mirafra. The distributions range from the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia.

<i>Amirafra</i> Genus of birds

Amirafra is a genus of larks in the family Alaudidae. It contains three species that were formerly placed in the genus Mirafra. These larks are found in sub-Sahara Africa.

<i>Corypha</i> (bird) Genus of birds

Corypha is a genus of larks in the family Alaudidae. These species were formerly placed in the genus Mirafra. They are widely distributed in open savannah-type habitats across sub-Saharan Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2017). "Mirafra rufocinnamomea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T22717068A118709779. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22717068A118709779.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. Based on maps in the Handbook of the Birds of the World and the BirdLife data zone
  3. Wingflap Dialects in the Flappet Lark https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/75566/j.1474-919X.1973.tb02644.x.pdf?sequence=1
  4. Keith, Stuart; Urban, Emil K.; Martin., Woodcock; Ian., Willis (2000-01-01). The birds of Africa. Vol. 6. Academic Press. ISBN   0121373061. OCLC   59539112.
  5. 1 2 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (August 2024). "Nicators, Bearded Reedling, larks". IOC World Bird List Version 14.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  6. Alström, P.; Mohammadi, Z.; Enbody, E.D.; Irestedt, M.; Engelbrecht, D.; Crochet, P.-A.; Guillaumet, A.; Rancilhac, L.; Tieleman, B.I.; Olsson, U.; Donald, P.F.; Stervander, M. (2023). "Systematics of the avian family Alaudidae using multilocus and genomic data". Avian Research. 14: 100095. doi: 10.1016/j.avrs.2023.100095 .