Eastern long-billed lark

The eastern long-billed lark (Certhilauda semitorquata), also known as the Kaffrarian long-billed lark or Eastern longbill is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in south-eastern Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.

Eastern long-billed lark
Singing adult in Mountain Zebra N.P., Eastern Cape, South Africa
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Alaudidae
Genus:	Certhilauda
Species:	C. semitorquata
Binomial name
Certhilauda semitorquata Smith, 1836
Subspecies
See text
Synonyms
Certhilauda curvirostris semitorquata Certhilauda longirostris

Taxonomy and systematics

Subspecies

Upperparts of C. s. algida in worn plumage

Three subspecies are recognized:^[2]

• C. s. transvaalensis - Roberts, 1936: Found in eastern South Africa
• C. s. semitorquata - Smith, 1836: Found in central South Africa
• C. s. algida - Quickelberge, 1967: Found in south-eastern South Africa

Some authorities consider the eastern long-billed lark to be a subspecies of the Cape long-billed lark.^[3]