Everything about The Raso Lark totally explained
The
Raso Lark (
Alauda razae) is a small
passerine bird with a highly restricted range, being found only on
Raso islet in the
Cape Verde Islands. This
critically endangered member of the
Alaudidae lives in highly arid terrain, and is considered one of the least known birds in the western
Palaearctic region, due to its remoteness and the lack of much
ornithological study on the archipelago as a whole.
Description
The Raso Lark is restricted to one small island in the Cape Verde group, although historically it's believed to have ranged over two other islands,
Branco and
Sao Vicente Island; all three of these islands were joined in the last
Ice Age. Branco island itself has no permanent water and has never been inhabited by people, a fact that has probably saved the lark from extinction until now.
The Raso Lark feeds by digging in the ground for
insect larvae, and
bulbs of the nutsedge. Both sexes also feed on grass seeds, and insects such as butterflies, moths and
grasshoppers. The female lays one to three eggs after the rains. Courtship behaviour is like that of the
Skylark. The incubation time is thought to be 15 days.
Threats
The tiny population size, last thought to be ~150 birds, coupled with the highly skewed sex ratio (around 2 males to each female) make this species one of real concern. The reproductive success of the birds is very low, probably due to predation by the
near-endemic Cape Verde giant gecko. The
Neglected Kestrel Falco (tinnunculus) neglectus is a predator of Razo larks. Although the island is currently free of mammalian
predators such as
rats or
feral cats, and is a closed reserve, the likelihood of a single unauthorized visit causing massive damage remains high. It has been suggested that establishing a second population on the gecko-free island of
Santa Luzia, which historically might also have had the lark, should be a
conservation priority.
Gallery
Image:Razo_lark_eggs.jpg|Raso lark eggs
Image:Alauda_razae_chicks.jpg|Raso lark chicks
Image:RasoIsland.jpg|Raso Island with location of Raso lark nest in centre of view
Image:View_from_Raso.jpg|View from Raso
Further Information
Get more info on 'Raso Lark'.
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