The Cape clapper lark (Mirafra apiata) is a small passerinebird which breeds in southern Africa. It derives its name from the wing clapping which forms part of the display flight. The Cape clapper lark is a species of open grassland and savannah, also inhabiting karoo, fynbos and fallow agricultural land.
The Cape clapper lark was originally placed in the genus Alauda. This species and the Eastern clapper lark were formerly considered conspecific as the clapper lark (M. apiata) until split in 2009.[2] The Cape clapper lark and the Eastern clapper lark are regarded as forming a superspecies with the flappet lark, which is found further to the north.[3]Bar-tailed lark is another alternate name for the Cape clapper lark.
This lark is a 15 cm long bird, with a brown crown, rich rufous underparts, and a strong bill. The Cape clapper lark has grey upperparts and a grey face, and the Agulhas clapper lark has dark brown upperparts, although individual variation means that it cannot always be reliably distinguished from the nominate race.
The display commences with an ascending flight with wing flapping. The Cape clapper lark has a slower wing clap compared to the Eastern clapper lark, and its otherwise similar call is longer and rises in pitch more. The Agulhas clapper lark has a fast wing clap, and a descending double whistled "peeeooo" call.
Behaviouredit
The Cape clapper lark is a skulking species and difficult to find when not displaying. It is not gregarious, and individuals tend to be seen in dry habitats feeding on the ground on seeds and insects.
Referencesedit
^BirdLife International (2017). "Mirafra apiata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T103765237A112872310. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T103765237A112872310.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
^"Species Version 2 « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
^Keith, Stuart; Urban, Emil K.; Martin, Woodcock; Ian, Willis (2000-01-01). The birds of Africa. Vol. 6. Academic Press. ISBN0121373061. OCLC 59539112.
^"IOC World Bird List 6.4". IOC World Bird List Datasets. doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.6.4.
Sinclair, Hockey and Tarboton, SASOL Birds of Southern Africa, ISBN1-86872-721-1
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mirafra apiata.
Wikispecies has information related to Mirafra apiata.
Species text - The Atlas of Southern African Birds
April 11, 2024
cape, clapper, lark, mirafra, apiata, small, passerine, bird, which, breeds, southern, africa, derives, name, from, wing, clapping, which, forms, part, display, flight, species, open, grassland, savannah, also, inhabiting, karoo, fynbos, fallow, agricultural, . The Cape clapper lark Mirafra apiata is a small passerine bird which breeds in southern Africa It derives its name from the wing clapping which forms part of the display flight The Cape clapper lark is a species of open grassland and savannah also inhabiting karoo fynbos and fallow agricultural land Cape clapper larknear Aurora Western CapeConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PasseriformesFamily AlaudidaeGenus MirafraSpecies M apiataBinomial nameMirafra apiata Vieillot 1816 SubspeciesSee text resident rangeSynonymsAlauda apiata Mirafra batesi Mirafra damarensis Mirafra hewitti Contents 1 Taxonomy and systematics 1 1 Subspecies 2 Description 3 Behaviour 4 References 5 External linksTaxonomy and systematics editThe Cape clapper lark was originally placed in the genus Alauda This species and the Eastern clapper lark were formerly considered conspecific as the clapper lark M apiata until split in 2009 2 The Cape clapper lark and the Eastern clapper lark are regarded as forming a superspecies with the flappet lark which is found further to the north 3 Bar tailed lark is another alternate name for the Cape clapper lark Subspecies edit Two subspecies are recognized 4 M a apiata Vieillot 1816 found in south western Namibia and western South Africa Agulhas clapper lark M a marjoriae Winterbottom 1956 found in southern Western Cape Province South Africa as far east as Knysna Description edit nbsp At Namaqua National ParkThis lark is a 15 cm long bird with a brown crown rich rufous underparts and a strong bill The Cape clapper lark has grey upperparts and a grey face and the Agulhas clapper lark has dark brown upperparts although individual variation means that it cannot always be reliably distinguished from the nominate race The display commences with an ascending flight with wing flapping The Cape clapper lark has a slower wing clap compared to the Eastern clapper lark and its otherwise similar call is longer and rises in pitch more The Agulhas clapper lark has a fast wing clap and a descending double whistled peeeooo call Behaviour editThe Cape clapper lark is a skulking species and difficult to find when not displaying It is not gregarious and individuals tend to be seen in dry habitats feeding on the ground on seeds and insects References edit BirdLife International 2017 Mirafra apiata IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017 e T103765237A112872310 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2017 1 RLTS T103765237A112872310 en Retrieved 13 November 2021 Species Version 2 IOC World Bird List www worldbirdnames org Retrieved 2016 11 22 Keith Stuart Urban Emil K Martin Woodcock Ian Willis 2000 01 01 The birds of Africa Vol 6 Academic Press ISBN 0121373061 OCLC 59539112 IOC World Bird List 6 4 IOC World Bird List Datasets doi 10 14344 ioc ml 6 4 Sinclair Hockey and Tarboton SASOL Birds of Southern Africa ISBN 1 86872 721 1External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mirafra apiata nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Mirafra apiata Species text The Atlas of Southern African Birds Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cape clapper lark amp oldid 1188551132, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
