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Archer's lark

April 14, 2024

Archer's lark (Heteromirafra archeri), also known as the Liben lark,[2] is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Somalia and Ethiopia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss. The bird's common name and binomial commemorate the British explorer and colonial official Sir Geoffrey Francis Archer.[3]

Archer's lark
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Heteromirafra
Species:
H. archeri
Binomial name
Heteromirafra archeri
Clarke, 1920
Synonyms
  • Heteromirafra ruddi archeri
  • Mirafra archeri

Taxonomy and systematics edit

Formerly, the Liben lark has been considered by some authorities as belonging to the genus Mirafra.[4] The Sidamo lark was previously considered as a separate species (as H. sidamoensis) and by some authorities as a subspecies of Liben lark (as H. a. sidamoensis), but since 2014 has been considered conspecific with the Liben lark.[5][6] Note that the alternate names "long-clawed lark" and "Sidamo lark" are also used as alternate names by Rudd's lark and Degodi lark respectively. Some authorities have also considered Archer's lark to be a subspecies of Rudd's lark.[4] The alternate name "Somali lark" is more commonly used by the species of the same name, Mirafra somalica, but also as an alternate name for Sharpe's lark.[7] Other alternate names for the Liben lark include Archer's long-clawed lark, Ethiopian long-clawed lark, Sidamo bushlark, Sidamo long-clawed lark and Somali long-clawed lark.

Description edit

The Liben lark is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long, with a relatively large head and short, plump body. It has buff underparts with a streaky breast. Its plumage is predominantly brown and reddish brown. It has a short, thin tail which is brown with white outer feathers.[2] The call is unknown.[2]

Behaviour edit

The birds are largely terrestrial and their behaviour is cryptic. Though quite capable of flight, they often prefer to conceal themselves in vegetation.[8]

Breeding edit

Nests have been found in summer. Clutch-size is three.[2]

Feeding edit

Its diet is likely to consist of seeds and small invertebrates, including worms.

Distribution and habitat edit

The bird's preferred habitat is open grasslands and rocky country, vegetated with tussocky perennial grasses and having an annual rainfall of 300–400 mm (12–16 in).[1] The total area in which Liben lark can be found is estimated to be only 52 km2 (20 sq mi), largely in Ethiopia.[1] The birds have not been recorded from the Wajaale clay plains on the border of Ethiopia and Somalia since 1922.[9] Due to habitat loss, Archer's lark has not been found in Somalia, since at least 1970.[10][11]

Status and conservation edit

The population is estimated to number 50–250 mature individuals, based on a lack of confirmed sightings despite several searches having been conducted since 1955 in Somalia and Ethiopia.[10] One of the last possible sightings of the bird was in Ethiopia in 2003. The species was declared critically endangered in 2005 and a conversation program to restore and protect grasslands has been initiated.[2]

In 2011, David Hoddinott and his bird watching group had a sighting of a bird that may have been a Liben lark in north-eastern Ethiopia. They were able to get a photograph which is being studied to confirm the observation.[12]

Threats edit

Human activities in the Negele plateau are causing the loss of crucial grassland habitat for the Liben lark. These activities include the encroachment of Acacia drepanolobium bushes. The enforcement of fire suppression measures since the 1980s may have worsened this issue by reducing available grassland.[1]

The region's local human population is under increasing pressure due to the arrival of refugees from drought-stricken and tribal conflict areas. This has led to a transition from nomadic pastoralism to permanent cultivation, posing a significant threat to the species. Moreover, the development of a watering point in the core of the species' range has led to livestock concentration, causing habitat disturbance, overgrazing, and trampling.[1]

The Liben lark's habitat continues to degrade, possibly due to overgrazing and the conversion of grassland into cultivated land. Between 2010 and 2011, a significant portion of grassland on the northern side of the Liben Plain was lost to agriculture. While a military training area was previously considered a potential threat, it was abandoned by July 2005. Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding environmental changes, including drought and rising temperatures.[1]

Historical land use by refugees in the Liben lark's original grassland site in Somalia led to the loss of essential grasses. Though the refugees have departed, intensive farming, grazing, and habitat disruption continue. Settlements, fires, and invasive species exacerbate habitat loss, threatening the Liben lark's survival.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g BirdLife International (2018). "Heteromirafra archeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T84543703A131105923. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T84543703A131105923.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Liben Lark ('Heteromirafra archeri)". BirdLife International. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  3. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael (2003). Whose Bird? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds. London: Christopher Helm. p. 29.
  4. ^ a b "Heteromirafra archeri - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  5. ^ "Heteromirafra sidamoensis - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  6. ^ "Species 4.1 to 4.4 « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
  7. ^ "Mirafra sharpii - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  8. ^ Butchart, Stuart. "Birds to Find: A Review of ‘lost’, Obscure and Poorly Known African Bird Species." Bull ABC, 2007. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.
  9. ^ Birding Africa, June 2010. "Archer's Lark Grasslands in Somalia Invaded by Noxious Parthenium Weed". Retrieved 25 October 2012
  10. ^ a b Paul F. Donald, Graeme M. Buchanan, Nigel J. Collar, Yilma Dellelegn Abebe, Merid N. Gabremichael, M. A. Kiragu Mwangi, Paul Kariuki Ndang'ang'a, Claire N. Spottiswoode and Mengistu Wondafrash (2010). Rapid declines in habitat quality and population size of the Liben (Sidamo) Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis necessitate immediate conservation action. Bird Conservation International, 20, pp 112 doi:10.1017/S0959270910000018
  11. ^ "Archer's Lark." Species2011S. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. <http://species2011s.wikispaces.com/4 Archer's Lark>
  12. ^ Rock Jumping Team. "Rockjumper - Worldwide Birding Adventures: Significant Ethiopian Discovery - Heteromirafra Larks by David Hoddinott". 16 May 2011. Retrieved 25 Oct. 2012.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heteromirafra archeri.
 
Wikispecies has information related to Heteromirafra archeri.
  • "Species factsheet". BirdLife International.

April 14, 2024
archer, lark, heteromirafra, archeri, also, known, liben, lark, species, lark, family, alaudidae, found, somalia, ethiopia, natural, habitats, subtropical, tropical, shrubland, subtropical, tropical, lowland, grassland, threatened, habitat, loss, bird, common,. Archer s lark Heteromirafra archeri also known as the Liben lark 2 is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae It is found in Somalia and Ethiopia Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland It is threatened by habitat loss The bird s common name and binomial commemorate the British explorer and colonial official Sir Geoffrey Francis Archer 3 Archer s larkConservation statusCritically Endangered IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PasseriformesFamily AlaudidaeGenus HeteromirafraSpecies H archeriBinomial nameHeteromirafra archeriClarke 1920SynonymsHeteromirafra ruddi archeri Mirafra archeri Contents 1 Taxonomy and systematics 2 Description 3 Behaviour 3 1 Breeding 3 2 Feeding 4 Distribution and habitat 5 Status and conservation 5 1 Threats 6 References 7 External linksTaxonomy and systematics editFormerly the Liben lark has been considered by some authorities as belonging to the genus Mirafra 4 The Sidamo lark was previously considered as a separate species as H sidamoensis and by some authorities as a subspecies of Liben lark as H a sidamoensis but since 2014 has been considered conspecific with the Liben lark 5 6 Note that the alternate names long clawed lark and Sidamo lark are also used as alternate names by Rudd s lark and Degodi lark respectively Some authorities have also considered Archer s lark to be a subspecies of Rudd s lark 4 The alternate name Somali lark is more commonly used by the species of the same name Mirafra somalica but also as an alternate name for Sharpe s lark 7 Other alternate names for the Liben lark include Archer s long clawed lark Ethiopian long clawed lark Sidamo bushlark Sidamo long clawed lark and Somali long clawed lark Description editThe Liben lark is about 14 cm 5 5 in long with a relatively large head and short plump body It has buff underparts with a streaky breast Its plumage is predominantly brown and reddish brown It has a short thin tail which is brown with white outer feathers 2 The call is unknown 2 Behaviour editThe birds are largely terrestrial and their behaviour is cryptic Though quite capable of flight they often prefer to conceal themselves in vegetation 8 Breeding edit Nests have been found in summer Clutch size is three 2 Feeding edit Its diet is likely to consist of seeds and small invertebrates including worms Distribution and habitat editThe bird s preferred habitat is open grasslands and rocky country vegetated with tussocky perennial grasses and having an annual rainfall of 300 400 mm 12 16 in 1 The total area in which Liben lark can be found is estimated to be only 52 km2 20 sq mi largely in Ethiopia 1 The birds have not been recorded from the Wajaale clay plains on the border of Ethiopia and Somalia since 1922 9 Due to habitat loss Archer s lark has not been found in Somalia since at least 1970 10 11 Status and conservation editThe population is estimated to number 50 250 mature individuals based on a lack of confirmed sightings despite several searches having been conducted since 1955 in Somalia and Ethiopia 10 One of the last possible sightings of the bird was in Ethiopia in 2003 The species was declared critically endangered in 2005 and a conversation program to restore and protect grasslands has been initiated 2 In 2011 David Hoddinott and his bird watching group had a sighting of a bird that may have been a Liben lark in north eastern Ethiopia They were able to get a photograph which is being studied to confirm the observation 12 Threats edit Human activities in the Negele plateau are causing the loss of crucial grassland habitat for the Liben lark These activities include the encroachment of Acacia drepanolobium bushes The enforcement of fire suppression measures since the 1980s may have worsened this issue by reducing available grassland 1 The region s local human population is under increasing pressure due to the arrival of refugees from drought stricken and tribal conflict areas This has led to a transition from nomadic pastoralism to permanent cultivation posing a significant threat to the species Moreover the development of a watering point in the core of the species range has led to livestock concentration causing habitat disturbance overgrazing and trampling 1 The Liben lark s habitat continues to degrade possibly due to overgrazing and the conversion of grassland into cultivated land Between 2010 and 2011 a significant portion of grassland on the northern side of the Liben Plain was lost to agriculture While a military training area was previously considered a potential threat it was abandoned by July 2005 Nevertheless concerns persist regarding environmental changes including drought and rising temperatures 1 Historical land use by refugees in the Liben lark s original grassland site in Somalia led to the loss of essential grasses Though the refugees have departed intensive farming grazing and habitat disruption continue Settlements fires and invasive species exacerbate habitat loss threatening the Liben lark s survival 1 References edit a b c d e f g BirdLife International 2018 Heteromirafra archeri IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018 e T84543703A131105923 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2018 2 RLTS T84543703A131105923 en Retrieved 13 November 2021 a b c d e Liben Lark Heteromirafra archeri BirdLife International Retrieved 15 November 2019 Beolens Bo Watkins Michael 2003 Whose Bird Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds London Christopher Helm p 29 a b Heteromirafra archeri Avibase avibase bsc eoc org Retrieved 2016 11 21 Heteromirafra sidamoensis Avibase avibase bsc eoc org Retrieved 2016 11 21 Species 4 1 to 4 4 IOC World Bird List www worldbirdnames org Retrieved 2016 11 20 Mirafra sharpii Avibase avibase bsc eoc org Retrieved 2016 11 29 Butchart Stuart Birds to Find A Review of lost Obscure and Poorly Known African Bird Species Bull ABC 2007 Web 22 Oct 2012 Birding Africa June 2010 Archer s Lark Grasslands in Somalia Invaded by Noxious Parthenium Weed Retrieved 25 October 2012 a b Paul F Donald Graeme M Buchanan Nigel J Collar Yilma Dellelegn Abebe Merid N Gabremichael M A Kiragu Mwangi Paul Kariuki Ndang ang a Claire N Spottiswoode and Mengistu Wondafrash 2010 Rapid declines in habitat quality and population size of the Liben Sidamo Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis necessitate immediate conservation action Bird Conservation International 20 pp 112 doi 10 1017 S0959270910000018 Archer s Lark Species2011S Web 25 Oct 2012 lt http species2011s wikispaces com 4 Archer s Lark gt Rock Jumping Team Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Adventures Significant Ethiopian Discovery Heteromirafra Larks by David Hoddinott 16 May 2011 Retrieved 25 Oct 2012 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heteromirafra archeri nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Heteromirafra archeri Species factsheet BirdLife International Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Archer 27s lark amp oldid 1218116718, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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