Larks (Alaudidae)

Somali Long-billed Lark (Mirafra somalica) - HBW 9, p. 548

French: Alouette de Somalie German: Somaliriesenlerche Spanish: Alondra Somalí
Other common names: (Red) Somali Lark, Somali Long-billed Bushlark

Taxonomy: Certhilauda somalica Witherby, 1903, Dibbit, Somalia.
Possibly forms a superspecies with M. hypermetra and M. africana. Suggested that it is allied to Certhilauda on basis of structure and undomed nest, but these could be result of convergence; has also been proposed, on basis of limited evidence from displays, that race rochei may be a distinct species, with only nominate race belonging in Certhilauda. Both races retained in present genus pending sequencing of genetic material and further study. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: