Barlow's lark explained

Barlow's lark (Calendulauda barlowi) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Namibia and South Africa where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Taxonomy and systematics

Originally, Barlow's lark was classified as belonging to the genus Pseudammomanes, then later by Mirafra and Certhilauda, until moved to Calendulauda in 2009.^[1] Formerly, some authorities considered Barlow's lark as a subspecies of either the Karoo lark (as Certhilauda albescens barlowi) or the dune lark (as Certhilauda erythrochlamys barlowi). Not all authorities recognize each of these re-classifications.^[2]

The common name and scientific name commemorate the South African businessman and conservationist Charles Sydney Barlow.^[3]

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:^[4]

• Calendulauda barlowi barlowi (Roberts, 1937): Found from the Koichab River to Aus (south-western Namibia)
• Calendulauda barlowi patae (Macdonald, 1953): Found in coastal south-western Namibia to north-western South Africa
• Calendulauda barlowi cavei (Macdonald, 1953): Found in inland south-western Namibia to north-western South Africa. Some authorities consider Cave's lark to be a separate species.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Calendulauda [barlowi or cavei] - Avibase]. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-19.
2. Web site: Calendulauda barlowi - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-19.
3. Book: Beolens, Bo. Whose Bird? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds. 2003. Christopher Helm. London. 39. Watkins, Michael.
4. IOC World Bird List 6.4. IOC World Bird List Datasets. 10.14344/ioc.ml.6.4. free.
5. Web site: Calendulauda cavei - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-19.