Large-billed lark

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Large-billed lark
Galerida magnirostris magnirostris, De Hoop-natuurreservaat, Birding Weto, a.jpg
Nominate race at De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Galerida
Species:
G. magnirostris
Binomial name
Galerida magnirostris
(Stephens, 1826)
Subspecies

See text

Galerida magnirostris distribution map.png
     resident range [2]
Synonyms
  • Alauda magnirostris
  • Calendula magnirostris
  • Galerida crassirostris

The large-billed lark or southern thick-billed lark (Galerida magnirostris) is a small passerine bird found in southern Africa. The name "large-billed lark" may also refer to Bradfield's lark. The name "thick-billed lark" more commonly refers to the species of the same name (i.e. Rhamphocoris clotbey ).

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

The large-billed lark was originally placed in the genus Alauda , and then Calendula until that genus was subsequently re-named to the present Galerida. [3] Another alternate name used for the large-billed lark is the long-billed lark. [4]

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized: [5]

Description

The large-billed lark is 18 cm in length. It is relatively short-tailed and has a thick bill with a yellow base to the lower mandible. It has streaked brown-grey upperparts, and a long white supercilium. Like other species in the genus, it has a crest that can be raised in display or alarm. The underparts are cream-coloured with heavy dark streaking on the breast. The heavy bi-coloured bill distinguishes this species from all other African larks.

The call of this very vocal species is a soft creaking "treeeeleeeeleee".

Distribution and habitat

The large-billed lark is a resident breeder in southern South Africa, Lesotho and southernmost Namibia. Its natural habitat is fynbos, karoo scrub and mountain grassland. The large-billed lark is also found in cultivated and fallow agricultural land.

Behaviour and ecology

Like other larks, the large-billed lark nests on the ground. Its food is seeds and insects, the latter especially in the breeding season.

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<i>Alauda</i> Genus of birds

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<i>Melanocorypha</i> Genus of birds

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Red-capped lark Species of bird

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Sabota lark Species of bird

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Pink-billed lark Species of bird

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Grays lark Species of bird

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.

Karoo lark Species of bird

The Karoo lark should not be confused with the similarly named Karoo long-billed lark.

Barlows lark Species of bird

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.

Benguela long-billed lark Species of bird

The Benguela long-billed lark, also known as the Benguela lark or Benguela longbill is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in south-western Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.

Red lark Species of bird

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.

Cape long-billed lark Species of bird

The Cape long-billed lark, also known as the Cape lark, Cape longbill or long-billed lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in south-western Africa. Its natural habitats are semi-arid Karoo shrub and subtropical dry shrubland and subtropical or dry lowland and highveld grassland. This lark is also found in croplands, farmlands and coastal fynbos.

Karoo long-billed lark Species of bird

The Karoo long-billed lark 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.

Spike-heeled lark Species of bird

The spike-heeled lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in southern Africa.

Fawn-coloured lark Species of bird

The fawn-coloured lark or fawn-coloured bush-lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in south-central Africa.

Foxy lark Species of bird

The foxy lark or Abyssinian lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in east-central Africa.

References

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Galerida magnirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22717402A94530525. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22717402A94530525.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Based on maps in the Handbook of the Birds of the World and the BirdLife data zone
  3. "Galerida magnirostris - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  4. "Galerida magnirostris - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  5. "IOC World Bird List 6.4". IOC World Bird List Datasets. doi: 10.14344/ioc.ml.6.4 .