Large-billed lark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Large-billed lark |
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| Nominate race at De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Alaudidae |
| Genus: | Galerida |
| Species: |
G. magnirostris
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| Binomial name | |
| Galerida magnirostris (Stephens, 1826)
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| Subspecies | |
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See text |
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| resident range | |
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| Synonyms | |
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The large-billed lark (scientific name: Galerida magnirostris) is a small passerine bird that lives in southern Africa. It's also sometimes called the southern thick-billed lark. You might hear the name "thick-billed lark" for a different bird, so it's good to know the full name!
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About the Large-billed Lark's Name
Scientists often group animals together based on how they are related. The large-billed lark has had a few different scientific names over time. It was first placed in the Alauda group, then Calendula, and now it's in the Galerida group. Another name people sometimes use for this bird is the long-billed lark.
Different Types of Large-billed Larks
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the large-billed lark. They look very similar but live in slightly different areas:
- G. m. magnirostris (named by Stephens in 1826): You can find this type in the southwestern part of South Africa.
- G. m. sedentaria (named by Clancey in 1993): This type lives in southwestern Namibia and western South Africa.
- Orange Free State large-billed lark, G. m. harei (named by Roberts in 1924): This one is found in central South Africa and Lesotho.
What Does the Large-billed Lark Look Like?
This lark is about 18 centimeters (about 7 inches) long. It has a short tail and a thick, strong beak. The bottom part of its beak is yellow.
Its back and wings are streaky brown-grey, helping it blend in with its surroundings. It also has a long white stripe above its eye, called a supercilium. Like other larks in its group, it has a crest on its head that it can raise when it's showing off or if it's worried.
The bird's belly is a creamy color, and its chest has many dark streaks. Its unique, thick, two-colored beak helps you tell it apart from other larks in Africa.
What Does it Sound Like?
The large-billed lark is a very talkative bird! Its call is a soft, creaking sound that sounds like "treeeeleeeeleee".
Where Do Large-billed Larks Live?
The large-billed lark lives all year round in southern South Africa, Lesotho, and the very southern part of Namibia. It likes to live in natural areas like fynbos (a type of shrubland), karoo scrub (dry, bushy land), and mountain grasslands. You can also find these larks in farms and fields that are not currently being used for crops.
Behaviour and Life Cycle
Like many other larks, the large-billed lark builds its nest on the ground. This helps keep its eggs and chicks safe.
What Do They Eat?
The large-billed lark eats both seeds and insects. During the breeding season, when they need extra energy for their young, they eat more insects.
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