Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Critically Endangered | Endangered | Vulnerable |
---|---|---|
- | A2bc+3bc+4bc | A2bc+3bc+4bc; C2a(i) |
Year | Category | Criteria |
---|---|---|
2021 | Endangered | A2bc+3bc+4bc |
2017 | Endangered | A2c+3c+4c |
2016 | Vulnerable | A2c+3c; C2a(i) |
2012 | Vulnerable | A3c;C2a(i) |
2008 | Vulnerable | A3c; C2a(i) |
2005 | Vulnerable | |
2004 | Critically Endangered | |
2000 | Critically Endangered | |
1996 | Critically Endangered | |
1994 | Critically Endangered | |
1988 | Threatened |
Migratory status | not a migrant | Forest dependency | does not normally occur in forest |
Land-mass type |
continent |
Average mass | - |
Estimate | Data quality | |
---|---|---|
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) | 60,100 km2 | medium |
Severely fragmented? | no | - |
Estimate | Data quality | Derivation | Year of estimate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Population size | 1700-3300 mature individuals | poor | estimated | 1998 |
Population trend | decreasing | medium | inferred | 2015-2024 |
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) | 50-79% | - | - | - |
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) | 50-79% | - | - | - |
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) | 50-79% | - | - | - |
Generation length | 3.1 years | - | - | - |
Number of subpopulations | 2-10 | - | - | - |
Population justification: Siegfried (1992) suggested a global population of 1,500-5,000 individuals. Estimates for the proposed Grassland Biosphere Reserve suggest that 2,500 individuals is a more realistic lower limit for this species. This range is roughly equivalent to 1,700-3,300 mature individuals; however, the total may be significantly lower (D. Maphisa in litt. 2012, 2016).
Trend justification: Much of the population may be on private land and it is an elusive species, which makes it difficult to get accurate population measures (D. Maphisa in litt. 2016). Analyses of Southern African Bird Atlas Project data have shown a possible 40% decline in range (with a 14% decline in core range) (Lee et al. 2017), and Peacock (2015) estimate the decline at >50%. However, its absence has recently been noted at former strongholds, particularly at Mataliele (where it is now presumed extinct) (D. Maphisa in litt. 2007; N. Theron and R. Colyn in litt. 2016). Suspected declines in the Wakkestroom population have also been raised (N. Theron and R. Colyn in litt. 2016), with repeat surveys in 2016 of 33 transects originally covered in 2002 (Maphisa 2004) showing declines in both the number of transects (down from 9 to 5) where the species was found, and the number of individuals recorded (down from 32 to 9) (Gush 2017). The species is therefore inferred to be in severe decline, with the decline over ten years tentatively placed in the range of 50-79%.
Country/Territory | Presence | Origin | Resident | Breeding visitor | Non-breeding visitor | Passage migrant |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | extant | native | yes |
Country/Territory | IBA Name |
---|---|
South Africa | Alexpan |
South Africa | Grasslands |
South Africa | Matatiele Nature Reserve |
South Africa | Steenkampsberg |
South Africa | Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve |
Habitat (level 1) | Habitat (level 2) | Importance | Occurrence |
---|---|---|---|
Grassland | Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude | major | resident |
Altitude | 1600 - 2200 m | Occasional altitudinal limits |
Threat (level 1) | Threat (level 2) | Impact and Stresses | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
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Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching - Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
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Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations - Agro-industry plantations | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Past, Unlikely to Return | Minority (<50%) | No decline | Past Impact | ||||||
|
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Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Future | Whole (>90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
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Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Negligible declines | Low Impact: 4 | ||||||
|
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Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Low Impact: 5 | ||||||
|
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Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
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Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression - Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Ongoing | Majority (50-90%) | Slow, Significant Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
|
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Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Timing | Scope | Severity | Impact | ||||
Ongoing | Minority (<50%) | Rapid Declines | Medium Impact: 6 | ||||||
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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Rudd's Lark Heteromirafra ruddi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rudds-lark-heteromirafra-ruddi on 05/12/2024.
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 05/12/2024.