Larks (Alaudidae)
Cape Long-billed Lark (Certhilauda curvirostris) - HBW 9, p. 565
French: Alouette à long bec
German: Kap-Langschnabellerche
Spanish: Alondra de El Cabo
Other common names: Long-billed Lark (when all members of genus except C. chuana lumped as one species)
Taxonomy: Alauda curvirostris Hermann, 1783, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
All members of genus with exception of C. chuana formerly treated as a single species, but recent research indicates that they are genetically, morphologically and vocally distinct. Present species and C. brevirostris appear to be sister-species (ranges apparently separated by Cape fold mountains, but boundary in Gouda-Tulbagh area not well known), and genetic data suggest that they are closely related to C. semitorquata. Range overlaps narrowly with that of C. subcoronata in N (on E edge of Namaqualand coastal plain N of Port Nolloth). Bill length increases clinal.. View all taxonomy...
All members of genus with exception of C. chuana formerly treated as a single species, but recent research indicates that they are genetically, morphologically and vocally distinct. Present species and C. brevirostris appear to be sister-species (ranges apparently separated by Cape fold mountains, but boundary in Gouda-Tulbagh area not well known), and genetic data suggest that they are closely related to C. semitorquata. Range overlaps narrowly with that of C. subcoronata in N (on E edge of Namaqualand coastal plain N of Port Nolloth). Bill length increases clinally from N to S, probably linked to softer, sandier substrates in N. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- falcirostris Reichenow, 1916 - coastal plain from extreme SW Namibia S to W South Africa (S to R Olifants).
- curvirostris (Hermann, 1783) - coastal plain from R Olifants S to Cape Town.
- Least Concern
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