Family: Alaudidae (Larks)

Authority: (Alexander, 1898)

Red List Category

Criteria: B1ac(iv)

Click here for more information about the Red List categories and criteria

Justification of Red List category
This species is confined to one very small island, where its population fluctuates in response to rainfall and appears to reach extremely small numbers. Climate change may increase drought in Cabo Verde, adding to the likelihood of extinction. As a ground-nester, the species is highly at risk from the accidental introduction of predators. For all of these reasons, it is classified as Critically Endangered.

BirdLife Species Guardian: Michael Brooke (University of Cambridge) & Paul Donald (RSPB)

Population size: 250-999 mature individuals

Population trend: stable

Extent of occurrence (breeding/resident): 4 km²

Country endemic: yes

Attributes
Land-mass type - oceanic island
Realm - Afrotropical
Realm - Palearctic
IUCN System - Freshwater
IUCN System - Terrestrial
IUCN System - Marine