Degodi lark

The Degodi lark (Mirafra gilletti degodiensis) is a lark in the family Alaudidae endemic to Ethiopia. It is now considered a subspecies of Gillett's lark.

Mirafra gilletti degodiensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Mirafra
Species:
M. gilletti
Subspecies:
M. g. degodiensis
Trinomial name
Mirafra gilletti degodiensis
(Érard, 1976)
Synonyms
  • Mirafra degodiensis

Taxonomy and systematics

Formerly, the Degodi lark was considered to be a separate species, but was re-classified as a subspecies of Gillett's lark in 2012 by the IOC.[1] Many other authorities have not yet followed this taxonomic change.[2] The alternate name "Sidamo lark" is also used as alternate name by Archer's lark. Other alternate names include Degodi bushlark and Erard's lark.

Description

The Degodi lark is a small (14 cm long), slender lark, with abundant streaking, very similar to a pipit. There are markings on the breast faint on light, buff underbelly. The voice is a 4- to 6-note trill; twill-ill-ill-ill-ill, and shorter tsee-tsee.[3]

Distribution and habitat

There is, at present, no more than a rough sketch of the Degodi lark, gleaned from infrequently gathered facts. This, as well, goes for its population and range, but it is believed to have a very small population. Its known range covers about 400 square kilometres, possibly up to 2,000 square kilometres. It is seen most reliably east of Bogol Manya, Ethiopia.[3] Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and is found among low acacia bushes on bare soil, with scattered Commiphora bushes and other species.

Behaviour and ecology

Degodi larks are often seen using bushes for perches. It eats caterpillars and small orthopterans.

Status

It is threatened by habitat loss.[3]

gollark: Yes.
gollark: I will never understand why, in Lua, useful functionality is left scattered around various functions but then missing in a clear thing like `table.slice` (nonexistent).
gollark: Ah, it says a *few* thousand, but probably nothing to rely on anyway.
gollark: I heard that mentioned in the `string.split` (well, lack of it) page.
gollark: 2000 or so? Ought to be fine.

References
  1. "IOC World Bird List 3.1". IOC World Bird List Datasets. doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.3.1.
  2. "Mirafra gilletti degodiensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  3. Compilers: Jonathan Ekstrom, Sue Shutes; Malcolm Starkey; Joe Taylor; Contributor: Ian Sinclair (2008). "Degodi Lark - BirdLife Species Factsheet". Evaluators: Stuart Butchart, Joe Taylor. BirdLife International. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  • Collar, N. J., C. Dingle, M. N. Gabremichael, and C. N. Spottoswoode. 2009. Taxonomic status of the Degodi Lark Mirafra degodiensis, with notes on the voice of Gillett's Lark M. gilletti. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 129: 49-62


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