Agulhas long-billed lark

Agulhas long-billed lark
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Alaudidae
Genus:	Certhilauda
Species:	C. brevirostris
Binomial name
Certhilauda brevirostris Roberts, 1941
Synonyms
Certhilauda curvirostris brevirostris (formerly) Agulhas lark Agulhas longbill Algulhas lark Algulhas long-billed lark Angulhas long-billed lark

The Agulhas long-billed lark (Certhilauda brevirostris) is a small passerine bird. It is an endemic resident breeder in the Western Cape, South Africa. Its restricted range is centred on the Agulhas arable farmlands, from east of the Hottentots-Holland mountain range to Mossel Bay, and occupies a maximum of 15,000 km².

Taxonomy and systematics

This lark was formerly considered as a subspecies of the Cape long-billed lark, as Certhilauda curvirostris brevirostris until it and three other subspecies were elevated to species status (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993).

Description

The Agulhas long-billed lark is 18–20 cm in length. It is long-tailed and has a longish curved bill. It has a streaked buff-grey head and back, and the closed wings are grey. The underparts are cream-coloured with dark streaking on the breast and flanks. Compared to Cape long-billed lark, this species has more buff colour and has a shorter tail and bill.

The display song of Agulhas long-billed lark is a disyllabic whistle ``seeooo seeeooo``.

Distribution and habitat

The natural habitat of Agulhas long-billed lark is uncertain, since most of its range has been converted into stony wheatfields and pasture land, only 30% remaining as coastal fynbos or karoo scrub. It is endemic to South Africa. However, it appears to have adapted quite well to its modified habitats, like farmlands, although its distribution is patchy for unknown reasons.

Behaviour and ecology

At present, very little is known about its ecology and breeding requirements. Like other larks, it nests on the ground. Its food is seeds and insects, the latter especially in the breeding season.

References

• Sinclair, Hockey and Tarboton, SASOL Birds of Southern Africa, ISBN 1-86872-721-1
• Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L. (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven, USA: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04969-2, ISBN 978-0-300-04969-5
• Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L. (1993) A supplement to Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven, USA: Yale University Press.
• BirdLife International