Larks (Alaudidae)
Gray's Lark (Ammomanopsis grayi) - HBW 9, p. 563
French: Ammomane de Gray
German: Namiblerche
Spanish: Alondra de Gray
Other common names: Gray’s Sand Lark
Taxonomy: Alauda grayi Wahlberg, 1855, between Kuiseb and Swakop Rivers, Damaraland, Namibia.
Traditionally placed in genus Ammomanes and in the past thought to form a superspecies with A. deserti, but apparent similarities now attributed to convergence. Genetic evidence indicates that it is much closer to Certhilauda and Chersomanes. Upperpart coloration closely linked to soil colour, darker in N; pale birds reappear on whitish sands in far N of range (S to extreme NW Namibia), may represent an undescribed taxon. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- hoeschi (Niethammer, 1955) - coastal plain of SW Angola and NW Namibia (S to Cape Cross).
- grayi (Wahlberg, 1855) - coastal plain of C & S Namibia.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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An individual feeding on bare ground and picking food off a small bush Locality Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia (ssp grayi)
Keith Blomerley 22 January 2007 5 years ago 22 sec 4 -
A bird standing still on bare ground Locality Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia (ssp hoeschi)
Keith Blomerley 22 January 2007 5 years ago 19 sec 4 -
A bird standing behind a small bush Locality Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia (ssp hoeschi)
Keith Blomerley 22 January 2007 5 years ago 25 sec 3.4
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A bird running.
Locality Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia (ssp grayi)
Fran Trabalon 5 November 2011 1 year ago 3.8 -
A cryptic adult.
Locality Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia (ssp grayi)
Ken Havard 7 April 2013 2 weeks ago ADDED LAST MONTH 3.8 -
Quite cryptic on gravel plains.
Locality Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia (ssp grayi)
Fran Trabalon 5 November 2011 1 year ago 3.5 -
An adult Gray's lark taking a thermal refuge in the shade of a large boulder
Locality Spitzkoppe, Erongo Region, Namibia
Christian Boix Hinzen 6 September 2008 3 years ago 3
- No sound recordings available yet
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