Karoo long-billed lark

Karoo long-billed lark
C. s. gilli in Mountain Zebra N. P.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Alaudidae
Genus:	Certhilauda
Species:	C. subcoronata
Binomial name
Certhilauda subcoronata Smith, 1843
Subspecies
See text
Range (only up to central Namibia)

The Karoo long-billed lark (Certhilauda subcoronata) or Karoo longbill is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in southern Africa in its natural habitat of subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

Taxonomy and systematics

Previously, the Karoo long-billed lark was considered by some authorities to comprise several subspecies of the Cape long-billed lark. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Subspecies

Six subspecies are recognised: ^[6]

• C. s. damarensis (Sharpe, RB, 1904) – west-central Namibia
• C. s. bradshawi (Sharpe, RB, 1904) – southern Namibia and northwestern South Africa (western Northern Cape)
• C. s. subcoronata Smith, A, 1843 – west-central South Africa, southward to central Karoo
• C. s. gilli Roberts, A, 1936 – south-central South Africa (southern Karoo)
• C. s. benguelensis (Sharpe, RB, 1904) – far coastal southwestern Angola and northern Namibia
• C. s. kaokoensis Bradfield, RD, 1944 – Brandberg Mountains (southern Angola and northern Namibia)

Subspecies C. s. benguelensis together with C. s. kaokoensis, have sometimes been treated as a separate species, the Benguela long-billed lark. ^{[7] [8]} The two taxa are considered to be subspecies of the Karoo long-billed lark based on the similar vocalization and the uncertain affinities of the intermediate taxon damarensis. ^[6]

Gallery

• 
  Nominate subspecies illustrated by Andrew Smith, 1838. Note the greyish collar, a field mark of the species.
• 
  Immature subspecies C. s. bradshawi at Augrabies Falls

References

1. BirdLife International (2016). "Certhilauda subcoronata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T22735884A95120054. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22735884A95120054.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
2. "Certhilauda damarensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
3. "Certhilauda subcoronata bradshawi - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
4. "Certhilauda subcoronata subcoronata - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
5. "Certhilauda subcoronata gilli - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
6. AviList Core Team (2025). "AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025". doi: 10.2173/avilist.v2025 . Retrieved 26 November 2025.
7. Dickinson, E.C.; Christidis, L., eds. (2014). The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2: Passerines (4th ed.). Eastbourne, UK: Aves Press. pp. 435–436. ISBN   978-0-9568611-2-2.
8. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (February 2025). "Nicators, Bearded Reedling, larks". IOC World Bird List Version 15.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 26 November 2025.