Short-clawed Lark
Certhilauda chuana
A long, slim pipit-like lark with a slender bill, a bold white eyebrow, and warm-and-dark spangled upperparts. Pairs forage for invertebrates in open thorny savanna, preferring short-cropped grass and open grazed fields. In a characteristic display the male flies low to the ground before flying directly up 8 to 10 meters, then closing its wings and plummeting to the ground while emitting a “weeeeoooo” whistle. It also gives a clear, very high-pitched “tseeet-tsooooe” and other whistles. Its range does not overlap with any of the similar long-billed larks. Rufous-naped Lark differs from Short-clawed Lark by being chunkier, with a crest and a rusty nape and wings; the smaller Sabota Lark is more compact, with bolder facial markings.
Identification
The short-clawed lark (Certhilauda chuana) or short-clawed bush-lark, is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Botswana and South Africa. Its natural habitat is dry savannah.
Taxonomy
Originally, the short-clawed lark was classified as belonging to the genus Alauda and then Mirafra until moved to Calendulauda. Not all authorities recognize this re-classification from Mirafra.
- Scientific name
- Certhilauda chuana
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1836)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Certhilauda
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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