The Indochinese bush lark (Plocealauda erythrocephala) or Indochinese lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found in southeast Asia.

Indochinese bush lark
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Plocealauda
Species:
P. erythrocephala
Binomial name
Plocealauda erythrocephala
Synonyms
  • Mirafra assamica erythrocephala
  • Mirafra assamica marionae
  • Mirafra marionae

Taxonomy and systematics

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Following work a decade ago by Per Alström, the Indochinese bush lark was split from the Bengal bush lark to form a separate species.[2] The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[3] The Indochinese bush lark was formerly placed in the genus Mirafra but was one of five species moved to the newly erected genus Plocealauda based on evidence from a large molecular genetic study published in 2023.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

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The range of the Indochinese bush lark extends over a large swath of southeast Asia, and can be found in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos.[5]

The Indochinese bush lark is found in a variety of open-space habitats up to 900 m interspersed with trees and shrubs and has adapted to cultivated land. It also exists at forest margins, as well as thickets of bamboo.[5]

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Mirafra erythrocephala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22734290A95081527. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22734290A95081527.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ Alström, Per (1998). "Taxonomy of the Mirafra assamica complex" (PDF). Forktail. 13: 97–107. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (August 2024). "Nicators, Bearded Reedling, larks". IOC World Bird List Version 14.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  4. ^ Alström, P.; Mohammadi, Z.; Enbody, E.D.; Irestedt, M.; Engelbrecht, D.; Crochet, P.-A.; Guillaumet, A.; Rancilhac, L.; Tieleman, B.I.; Olsson, U.; Donald, P.F.; Stervander, M. (2023). "Systematics of the avian family Alaudidae using multilocus and genomic data". Avian Research. 14: 100095. doi:10.1016/j.avrs.2023.100095.
  5. ^ a b Compiler: Helen Temple (2008). "Indochinese Bushlark - BirdLife Species Factsheet". Evaluators: Jeremy Bird, Stuart Butchart. BirdLife International. Retrieved May 25, 2009.