Obbia Lark Spizocorys obbiensis Scientific name definitions

Coastal plain of C Somalia (50 km S of Jariban S to Halhambe).

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Data Deficient. Restricted-range species: present in Central Somali Coast EBA. No recent information on the species’ status; was the most abundant passerine in coastal dunes in late 1970s with occasional flocks of up to 30 individuals (1 Keith, S., E. K. Urban, and C. H. Fry, Editors (1992). The Birds of Africa. Volume 4. Academic Press, London, UK. Close ). The most recent sighting was in Apr 2006, when several pairs were seen in Ceel Dheer and Mareeg (2 Butchart, S. H. M. (2007). Birds to find: a review of ‘lost’, obscure and poorly known African bird species. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 14(2):139–157. Close ) BirdLife International (2015) Species factsheet: Spizocorys obbiensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/10/2015. . Largely dependent on vegetated dunes; some concern that increasing grazing pressure, coupled with demand for firewood, will lead to destabilization of its dune habitat, especially around Mogadishu. As its range extends over minimum of 570 km from N to S, it is likely to be still secure in at least some areas. No population estimates. Nothing known about changes in population size. Available data are insufficient to support a robust assessment of its risk of extinction, and it is therefore classified as Data Deficient. Urgent need to carry out population census of sand dune habitat within known range, and obtain information on ecological requirements, threats and population trends.