Spike-heeled lark


The spike-heeled lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae.
It is found in southern Africa.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland.

Taxonomy and systematics

Originally, the spike-heeled lark was considered to belong to the genus Certhilauda. Alternately, it has been called the rufous long-billed lark.

Subspecies

Presently, ten subspecies are recognized. Additionally, Beesley's lark was also formerly classified as a subspecies of the spike-heeled lark. Benguella rufous long-billed lark - Hartert, 1907: Found in south-western and central AngolaOvampo rufous long-billed lark - : Found in northern NamibiaC. a. kalahariae - : Originally described as a separate species in the genus Certhilauda. Found in southern and western Botswana, northern South AfricaC. a. boweni - : Found in north-western NamibiaDamara rufous long-billed lark - : Found in southern Namibia and south-western South AfricaC. a. barlowi - White, CMN, 1961: Found in eastern BotswanaC. a. alticola - Roberts, 1932: Found in north-eastern South AfricaRufous long-billed lark - : Found in south-eastern Botswana to central South AfricaC. a. garrula - : Originally described as a separate species in the genus Certhilauda. Found in western South AfricaC. a. macdonaldi - : Found in southern South Africa