Certhilauda subcoronata
Karoo Long-billed Larks are usually encountered singly or in pairs. As their name suggest, these birds inhabit sparsely vegetated, rocky plains and hill slopes in the arid Karoo, and feed primarily on insects and seeds.
These rather large Larks (weighing 31-55g) breed mostly in spring and summer. Their nests are cups built of roots and twigs in hollows at the bases of shrubs and rocks in which 2-3 eggs are laid.
The Karoo Long-billed Lark occurs commonly in the drier western half of South Africa, specifically in the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, extending into Namibia. The Karoo National Park is one of the best places to go looking for this species. With a a large and stable population, the IUCN considers the Karoo Long-billed Lark to be of least concern.
Very interesting and apparently well-adapted bird!
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Perfectly suited to its harsh home!
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So ‘n vaal ou voëltjie…
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Perfek om met die Karoo in te smelt, Tannie Frannie!
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That certainly is a long beak. Beware seeds and insects! You cannot hide.
janet
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It must come in very handy in such a harsh environment!
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