Karoo long-billed lark explained

The Karoo long-billed lark (Certhilauda subcoronata) or Karoo longbill is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in southern Africa in its natural habitat of subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

Taxonomy and systematics

Previously, the Karoo long-billed lark was considered by some authorities to comprise several subspecies of the Cape long-billed lark.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} Confusingly, the terms Damara longbill and Damaraland long-billed lark are used for both the Karoo long-billed lark and the Benguela long-billed lark.^[5]

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized:^[6]

• Damara longbill, Damara long-billed lark or Damaraland long-billed lark (C. s. damarensis) - (Sharpe, 1904): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Alaemon. Found in central Namibia
• Gordonia longbill, Gordonia long-billed lark or large-billed Sabota lark (C. s. bradshawi) - (Sharpe, 1904): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Alaemon. Found in southern Namibia and north-western South Africa. Confusingly, the Sabota lark is also sometimes called the large-billed Sabota lark
• C. s. subcoronata - Smith, 1843: Found in west-central South Africa
• C. s. gilli - Roberts, 1936: Found in southern South Africa

Notes and References

1. Web site: Certhilauda damarensis - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-14.
2. Web site: Certhilauda subcoronata bradshawi - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-14.
3. Web site: Certhilauda subcoronata subcoronata - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-14.
4. Web site: Certhilauda subcoronata gilli - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-14.
5. Web site: Certhilauda benguelensis kaokoensis - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2016-11-14.
6. IOC World Bird List 6.4. IOC World Bird List Datasets. 10.14344/ioc.ml.6.4. free.