Larks (Alaudidae) - HBW 9

Gray's Lark (Ammomanopsis grayi)

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
  •      No sound recordings available yet
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