Sabota Lark

Overview

The Sabota lark (Calendulauda sabota) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in southern Africa. It is generally sedentary, though local movements occur in drier regions. The species name is derived from sebotha or sebothé, the Tswana generic name for a lark.

Identification

• Two distinctive taxa are recognised: the large-billed Sabota lark and the small-billed Sabota lark.
• The large-billed subspecies are found in the dry to arid west and south of the range, while the small-billed subspecies are native to mesic woodlands of the north and east.
• Bradfield's lark subspecies (C. s. naevia) is characterised by having a larger bill than other subspecies of C. sabota.

Habitat

The species inhabits dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland across southern Africa. Its range encompasses areas including Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Did you know?

The subspecies C. s. naevia has been known by multiple alternative names, including Damaraland Sabota lark, large-billed lark, and Somali fawn-coloured lark.