Long Schnabellerche
| Long Schnabellerche | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Long Schnabellerche ( Certhilauda curvirostris ) |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Certhilauda curvirostris | ||||||||||||
| ( Hermann , 1783) |
The Long Schnabellerche ( Certhilauda curvirostris ), also called Cape Long Schnabellerche , is a species from the lark family. It is a species widespread in the south of the African continent and is the largest species of lark there. It is larger than a skylark , has a thrush-like shape and a long, curved beak. There are several subspecies.
The stock situation of the long-beaked lish is classified as harmless ( least concern ). The Langschnabellerche is closely related to the Betschuana and Agulhas Langschnabellerche .
features
The males of the Langschnabellerche reach a body length of about 19 to 20 centimeters, of which 6.4 to 8 centimeters are on the tail. The females are significantly smaller and reach a body length of 16 to 17 centimeters, of which 6.5 to 6.6 centimeters are on the tail. The beak measures from the skull in the males between 3 and 3.8 centimeters and in the females between 2.7 and 2.8 centimeters. The rear claw measures between 1.1 and 1.5 centimeters. Apart from the difference in size, there is no noticeable gender dimorphism .
The Langschnabellerche has a dark brown head, the individual feathers are lined with light brown and have very narrow whitish tips. These tips are slightly wider at the back of the neck. The sides of the neck and the front neck are striped dark brown and spotted on a whitish background. The cheeks and the ear covers are light brown. The over-eye stripe is white. A dark line runs from the base of the beak to the eye.
The top of the body is brown, with the feathers having dark centers and being lined with light brown. This creates a striped look. The upper tail-coverts are brown with dark shaft stripes and whitish tips.
The chin and throat are whitish with a few brown flecks. The breast is brownish yellow with dark brown longitudinal lines, the belly and the under tail covers are creamy white to light yellowish brown. The hand and arm wings are dark brown with narrow reddish hems. The tail is dark brown, while the middle pair of control feathers has reddish-brown fringes. The beak is dark horn-colored, the iris is brown.
Possible confusion
The long-beaked lark can hardly be confused with any other species of lark due to its size and long beak. The Zirplerche , which occurs in the same area of distribution, is smaller, has a shorter tail with white tips. It also has a more upright posture than the long-beak, which often shows a huddled posture on the ground.
Distribution area of the individual subspecies and habitat
There are two subspecies:
- C. c. falcirostris - Reichenow , 1916 : Originally described as an independent species, this subspecies occurs from southwest Namibia to the west of the South African Republic. It has a slightly longer beak than the nominate shape and is lighter and grayer on the upper side of the body. In the males, the beak reaches a length of 3.2 to 3.8 centimeters. In females, it measures between 2.7 and 2.9 centimeters.
- C. c. curvirostris - ( Hermann , 1783) : Occurrence in the southwest of the South African Republic.
The habitat of the Langschnabellerche are coastal regions with low vegetation. It occurs predominantly where there are bare, sandy areas.
Way of life
The Langschnabellerche lives solitary or in pairs. The eating habits have not yet been conclusively investigated. According to the current state of knowledge, it mainly eats invertebrates while seeds play only a minor role in its diet.
The breeding season falls from August to October. Like all larks, the long-beaked lark is a ground breeder.
literature
- Rudolf Pätzold: The larks of the world . Westarp Sciences, Magdeburg 1994, ISBN 3-89432-422-8 .
- Rudolf Pätzold: Compendium of Larks. All the larks on earth. Jan-Schimkat-Medienpublikation, Dresden 2003, ISBN 3-00-011219-7 .
Web links
Single receipts
- ↑ a b c d e Handbook of the Birds of the World zur Langschnabellerche , accessed on March 26, 2017
- ^ Pätzold: Compendium of Larks . P. 137.
- ^ Pätzold: Compendium of Larks . P. 134.
- ^ Pätzold: Compendium of Larks . P. 135.
- ^ IOC World Bird List 6.4 . In: IOC World Bird List Datasets . September. doi : 10.14344 / ioc.ml.6.4 .
- ^ Pätzold: Compendium of Larks . P. 136.