• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Climate Change maps
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). 
For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
This is a poorly known species, and no population estimates are available, although it has been reported as common to abundant in the past (Ash 1981, Donald and Alström in prep.), being found in pairs, small parties and occasionally flocks of up to 30 individuals (Keith et al. 1992).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of any significant threats to the species (P. Donald in litt. 2024), although potential habitat degradation in the south of its range may lead to some local declines in the future (Ryan and Sharpe 2020).

This species is restricted to a narrow coastal strip in south-eastern Somalia, where it is known to occur along c.570 km of coast, from Halhambe to 47 km south of Jiriiban (Ash and Miskell 1998). It is restricted to a strip only about 1 km wide in the south, but occurs up to 40 km inland in the north (Ash and Miskell 1998). The most recent sighting known was in April 2006, when several pairs were seen in Ceel Dheer and Mareeg (J. Miskell in litt. 2006).

The world's smallest lark (Donald and Alström in prep.). It is found in large, fixed and vegetated dunes. Breeding has been recorded in May, June and November, with a clutch size of 2-3 (Ash and Miskell 1998).

Although this species can survive in heavily grazed habitat (Keith et al. 1992), it is possible that further intensification of grazing and increased demand for fuelwood, particularly in areas close to Mogadishu, will lead to the destabilisation of dunes and consequently the destruction of the species' habitat (Hutchinson 1991). However, the sandy dunes are unlikely to be converted to agriculture (Donald and Alström in prep.). 

Conservation Actions Underway
This species is part of the Search for Lost Birds project, a joint collaboration between the American Bird Conservancy, BirdLife International and re:Wild. There are no documented records of the species since the 1970s, with one recent analysis (Rutt et al. 2024) finding no evidenced record since 1977, although there are seven specimens kept in the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH, New York) from 1978-1979 (N. Collar pers. comm. in Donald and Alström in prep.). There are no other conservation actions known specifically targeting this species, or indirectly affecting this species. 

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys in suitable habitat within its known range, in order to improve knowledge of population size and trends, and of its ecological requirements. Conduct research to understand which threats may affect it and its habitat. Monitor population trends. Monitor extent and quality of suitable habitats to ensure any decline in these is known.

12cm, 12-16g. Small lark with a stout bill, crouches to feed in vegetated coastal dune habitat. Prominent supercilium, dark eye-stripe, moustacial and malar stripes. Whitish below, with regular blackish streaks along flanks and on breast. Similar spp. Flappet Lark Mirafra cinnamomea is buffy below, Singing Bushlark Mirafra cantillans has rufous wing panel and longer tail, also dark on bill. Voice flight call "tip-tip".

Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.

Contributors
Alstrom, P., Bird, J., Butchart, S., Clark, J., Collar, N., Donald, P., Martin, R., Miskell, J., Robertson, P., Symes, A. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Obbia Lark Spizocorys obbiensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/obbia-lark-spizocorys-obbiensis on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.