Karoo lark


The Karoo lark should not be confused with the similarly named Karoo long-billed lark.
The Karoo lark or red-backed lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is endemic to South Africa where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

Taxonomy and systematics

The Karoo lark was originally classified in the genus Alauda and subsequently Mirafra and Certhilauda, until moved to Calendulauda by the IOC in 2009. Not all authorities have followed this taxonomy change.

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized:
Formerly, some authorities considered both the dune lark and Barlow's lark to be subspecies of the Karoo lark.