Grey-backed sparrow-lark

The grey-backed sparrow-lark (Eremopterix verticalis) or grey-backed finch-lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in southern and south-central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. Sometimes, the name 'grey-backed sparrow-lark' is also used to describe the black-eared sparrow-lark.

Grey-backed sparrow-lark
Male in Northern Cape, South Africa
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Alaudidae
Genus:	Eremopterix
Species:	E. verticalis
Binomial name
Eremopterix verticalis (Smith, 1836)
Subspecies
See text
Synonyms
Megalotis verticalis

Taxonomy and systematics

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized:^[2]

• E. v. khama - Irwin, 1957: Found in north-eastern Botswana, western Zimbabwe and western Zambia
• E. v. harti - Benson & Irwin, 1965: Found in south-western Zambia
• E. v. damarensis - Roberts, 1931: Found from western Angola and south-western Zambia to western South Africa
• E. v. verticalis - (Smith, 1836): Found from south-eastern Botswana and south-western Zimbabwe to southern South Africa