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

Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is thought to have a moderately small population. Any more conclusive evidence suggesting that the population is smaller, or in decline, may qualify the species for a higher threat category.

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it is described as scarce and local.

Trend justification
The trend direction for the population is difficult to determine as there are potentially both positive and negative processes acting on the species (del Hoyo et al. 2004). There have been reported declines in range from Atlas data (Peacock 2015, Lee et al. 2017), but this may largely due to incomplete sampling, and so if there is any decline, it is probably far less severe than found (Peacock 2015).

Most records of Spizocorys sclateri come from the Nama Karoo in central and north-western Cape Province, South Africa, with relatively few records from southern Namibia. Within this range, it is uncommon and local, and appears nomadic at the edge of its range, moving in response to rainfall patterns.

It inhabits arid and semi-arid gravel and stony plains with scattered shrubs and grasses on shale soils, and sparse dwarf-shrublands on clays, but is usually found within accessible distance of surface water. It is granivorous but will eat some insects (Peacock 2015). It generally seems to be a highly predictable breeder, nesting in the same patch and at the same time each year, irrespective of rainfall. It feeds on insects and seeds (del Hoyo et al. 2004). Breeding takes place primarily in August-December, sometimes from June. The species is monogamous and lays one egg. The incubation period is 11-13 days, and the fledging period is 10-12 days, occasionally 14 days (del Hoyo et al. 2004).

The effects of the increased use of its habitat by livestock are unknown; the species may benefit from the presence of stock water-points, but grazing may have a deleterious impact. Climate change may impact this species, though its impact hasn't fully be investigated (Peacock 2015, Simmons 2015).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation action is known for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to obtain a total population estimate. Study the species's status in Namibia. Monitor population and range trends through regular surveys. Study the impact of livestock farming on the species. Effectively protect significant areas of suitable habitat in both strictly protected areas and multiple use areas.

Text account compilers
O'Brien, A., Pilgrim, J., Robertson, P., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sclater's Lark Spizocorys sclateri. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sclaters-lark-spizocorys-sclateri 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.