1. Taxonomy and systematics

2. Description

3. Behaviour
    Breeding  Feeding 

4. Distribution and habitat

5. Status and conservation
    Threats 

6. References

7. External links

• Mirafra archeri

Taxonomy and systematics

Formerly, Archer's lark has been considered by some authorities as belonging to the genus Mirafra.^[3] The Sidamo lark was previously considered as a separate species (as H. sidamoensis) and by some authorities as a subspecies of Archer's lark (as H. a. sidamoensis), but since 2014 has been considered conspecific with Archer's lark.^[4][5] 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.^[3] 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.^[6] Other alternate names for Archer's lark include Archer's long-clawed lark, Ethiopian long-clawed lark, Liben lark, Sidamo bushlark, Sidamo long-clawed lark and Somali long-clawed lark.

Description

Archer’s lark is about 14 cm 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.^[7] The call is unknown.^[7]

Behaviour

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

Nests have been found in summer. Clutch-size is three.^[7]

Feeding

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

Distribution and habitat

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.^[9] The total area in which Archer's lark can be found is estimated to be only 52 km², largely in Ethiopia.^[9] The birds have not been recorded from the Wajaale clay plains on the border of Ethiopia and Somaliland since 1922.^[10] Due to habitat loss, Archer's lark has not been found in Somalia, since at least 1970.^[15][11]

Status and conservation

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.^[12] 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.^[7]

In 2011, David Hoddinott and his bird watching group had a sighting of a bird that may have been an Archer's lark in north-eastern Ethiopia. They were able to get a photograph which is being studied to confirm the observation.^[13]

Threats

Since 1922 much former habitat in Somalia has been occupied by refugees and turned into farmland. Grassland is being degraded by the invasive plant Parthenium hysterophorus.^[11] Apart from habitat loss to agriculture, pastoralism and invasive weeds, threats include wildfire, severe weather events and climate change.

References

External links

• Species factsheet - BirdLife International

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