Short-tailed lark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Short-tailed lark |
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| P. f. delamerei in Serengeti N.P. | |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Alaudidae |
| Genus: | Spizocorys |
| Species: |
S. fremantlii
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| Binomial name | |
| Spizocorys fremantlii (Lort Phillips, 1897)
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| Subspecies | |
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| Synonyms | |
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The short-tailed lark (Spizocorys fremantlii) is a small bird that belongs to the lark family, called Alaudidae. These birds are known for their beautiful songs and often live in open areas.
You can find the short-tailed lark in parts of Africa. It lives in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. This bird prefers dry places, such as savannahs, which are grasslands with scattered trees. It also lives in dry shrublands and low-lying grasslands.
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About the Short-Tailed Lark
The short-tailed lark is a fascinating bird. It gets its name from its noticeably short tail. These birds are usually well-camouflaged, meaning their feathers help them blend in with their surroundings. This makes them hard to spot in their natural habitat.
How Scientists Classify This Bird
Scientists group living things into categories. The short-tailed lark has been moved between different groups over time. It was first placed in a group called Calendula, which later changed to Galerida. Then, it was moved to a special group just for itself, called Pseudalaemon. Finally, in 2014, scientists decided it best fit into the group Spizocorys. This shows how scientists learn more and update their understanding of nature.
Meet the Different Types of Short-Tailed Larks
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the short-tailed lark. Each one lives in a slightly different area:
- Somali short-tailed lark (S. f. fremantlii): This type was first described by Ethelbert Lort Phillips in 1897. You can find it in south-eastern Ethiopia and Somalia.
- S. f. megaensis (S. f. megaensis): This subspecies was identified by Constantine Walter Benson in 1946. It lives in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya.
- Kenya short-tailed lark (S. f. delamerei): Richard Bowdler Sharpe first described this type in 1900. It was even thought to be its own species at one point! This lark lives in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
What Do Short-Tailed Larks Eat?
The short-tailed lark's diet is mostly made up of plant material. They forage on the ground, looking for seeds and other bits of plants. This helps them get the energy they need to fly and sing.
 | Lonnie Johnson |
 | Granville Woods |
 | Lewis Howard Latimer |
 | James West |
