Large-billed lark
The large-billed lark or southern thick-billed lark is a small passerine bird found in southern Africa. The name "large-billed lark" may also refer to Bradfield's lark. The name "thick-billed lark" more commonly refers to the species of the same name.
Taxonomy and systematics
The large-billed lark was originally placed in the genus Alauda, and then Calendula until that genus was subsequently re-named to the present Galerida. Another alternate name used for the large-billed lark is the long-billed lark.Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized:- G. m. magnirostris : Found in south-western South Africa
- G. m. sedentaria Clancey, 1993: Found in south-western Namibia and western South Africa
- Orange Free State large-billed lark, G. m. harei : Found in central South Africa, Lesotho
Description
The large-billed lark is 18 cm in length. It is relatively short-tailed and has a thick bill with a yellow base to the lower mandible. It has streaked brown-grey upperparts, and a long white supercilium. Like other species in the genus, it has a crest that can be raised in display or alarm. The underparts are cream-coloured with heavy dark streaking on the breast. The heavy bi-coloured bill distinguishes this species from all other African larks.The call of this very vocal species is a soft creaking "treeeeleeeeleee".