Certhilauda curvirostris
The Cape Long-billed Lark (Certhilauda curvirostris) is a strikingly adapted passerine, measuring 17-23 cm in length and weighing between 30-50 grams. Its most distinctive feature is a remarkably long, slender, and strongly decurved bill, which can measure up to 5 cm and is perfectly suited for probing in sandy and stony soils. Plumage is cryptically colored, typically streaky warm brown on the upperparts, providing excellent camouflage against its arid backdrop, with a paler, buffy-white und...
Found in dry, open habitats including fynbos, karoo shrubland, and arid coastal plains, often with sparse vegetation, from sea level up to moderate elevations.
Feeds primarily on invertebrates such as insects (especially beetle larvae and ants) and spiders, supplemented with a small amount of seeds, obtained by probing deeply into the soil.
Primarily diurnal, the Cape Long-billed Lark spends most of its time foraging on the ground, often in solitary pairs. Its foraging strategy is characterized by using its specialized long, decurved bill to probe deeply into loose soil and under stones, often digging small holes to extract inverteb...
The Cape Long-billed Lark is endemic to South Africa, with its distribution confined to the southwestern and south-central parts of the country. Its range primarily spans the Western Cape and extends eastwards into the Eastern Cape provinces. There are two recognized subspecies: *Certhilauda curv...
Least Concern
- The Cape Long-billed Lark's bill can be up to 5 cm long, making it proportionally one of the longest bills among all larks worldwide. - It is endemic to South Africa, found nowhere else on Earth. - Its scientific name, *curvirostris*, literally means 'curved bill,' a direct reference to its mos...