Biology:Botha's lark

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Short description: Species of bird

Botha's lark
Spizocorys fringillaris 64720937.jpg
Spizocorys fringillaris and Mirafra fasciolata damarensis 1875 (cropped).jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Spizocorys
Species:
S. fringillaris
Binomial name
Spizocorys fringillaris
(Sundevall, 1850)
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IUCN range
  Extant (resident)
Spizocorys fringillaris distribution map.png
Synonyms
  • Alauda fringillaris
  • Botha difficilis
  • Botha fringillaris
  • Calandrella fringillaris
  • Spizocorys difficilis

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

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]

Spizocorys fringillaris 64720944.jpg

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

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q1586590 entry