The Liben Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis its population dropped by 40% between 2007 and 2009 with a population of possibly fewer than 100 birds, is widely tipped to become mainland Africa’s first recorded bird extinction, unless urgent action is taken to prevent its demise from the only area it now inhabits: a single grassy plain in southern Ethiopia.
Habitat loss and degradation have been major causes for the rapid decline. Increased human and livestock encroachment has led to a dramatic loss of open grassland for the Larks, which forage and nest on the ground. Their remaining range is not protected, and though a number of conservation measures have been proposed, the bird could very well be extinct in only a few years
The tiny Lark is only found in the plains of southern Ethiopia, and it could become Africa’s first recorded bird extinction. Its population dropped by 40% between 2007 and 2009, and thanks to habitat loss that’s chiefly due to agriculture expansion, the lark may not have long to live.
