Beesley's Lark
Beesley's Lark (<em>Chersomanes beesleyi</em>) is a species of Larks (<em>Alaudidae</em>) in the order Perching Birds (Passerines).
Overview
Beesley's Lark (Chersomanes beesleyi) is a species of Larks (Alaudidae) in the order Perching Birds (Passerines).
Scientific Classification
Genus: Chersomanes; binomial: Chersomanes beesleyi; authority: Benson, 1966.
Distribution
Breeding range: Africa.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
Chersomanes beesleyi is split from C. albofasciata (Sinclair & Ryan 2003; Alström et al. 2013). Beesley's Lark Chersomanes beesleyi is proposed to be re-lumped with Spike-heeled Lark C. albofasciata based on a reconsideration of the features that were originally cited to justify the split. Despite deep genetic divergence based on mtDNA evidence (Alström et al. 2013), differences in plumage may be clinal or inconsistent and behavioral differences have been questioned. Further, a population of Spike-heeled Lark with variable plumage and an intermediate range in se DR Congo has not been properly assessed or classified (Donald & Collar 2011; del Hoyo & Collar 2016; Louette & Hasson 2017; Ryan et al. 2022; Clements 2022; HBW/BirdLife).
