Botha's Lark
Spizocorys fringillaris
EndangeredAves · Passeriformes · Alaudidae
About
Botha's lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae that is endemic to South Africa. It is considered to be South Africa's most endangered bird species with approximately 340 mature individuals left in the wild. Over the last decade, there has been a 90% population decline resulting in the species regionally being uplisted to Critically Endangered in the 2025 Regional Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Fun Fact
The diet of the chicks were found to be exclusively insect-based.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Endemic to the high-altitude grasslands of South Africa, restricted to southern Mpumalanga, eastern Free State and potentially KwaZulu-Natal.
Diet
Feeds on a combination of seeds and insects, including beetles and moths, although its diet has not been extensively studied.
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Loss
- Poaching and Hunting
- Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Disease