7 thoughts on “Botha’s Lark (Spizocorys fringillaris)”
I would only assess the species as Critically Endangered under criterion A. The best estimate for population size (i.e. the one that should be compared to the Red List thresholds), as outlined above is 340 mature individuals, which exceeds the CR threshold of 250. If criterion C is to be used, then the ‘best estimate’ value of 340 should be removed and thus the wider estimate of 200-650 could be used.
I would assume that the species should be considered as a single subpopulation, given dispersal ability and the small range.
We have received a comment by email from Paul Donald:
‘raising Botha’s Lark to CR is absolutely justified and necessary, the species is rapidly going down the pan.’
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 2 February 2026. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 2 February 2026, when discussions will re-open.
We thank James Westrip for his comment. Given the extreme concern expressed over the species’ current predicament, the previously stated best population estimate will be removed. The range has been retained based on the most recent data available, but we suspect the true population size is likely towards the lower end of this range.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2026 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 8 February 2026, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2026 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
We strongly support the uplisting of Botha’s Lark Spizocorys fringillaris to Critically Endangered, with Criterion A2 providing the most compelling justification. Available data indicate an estimated population decline of approximately 86% over the past 10 years, clearly exceeding the threshold for CR under A2. This decline is inferred from intensive field surveys, habitat loss and degradation across the species’ range, and ongoing anthropogenic pressures, with no evidence of stabilisation or recovery.
In addition, the species clearly meets Criterion C, particularly C2. Extensive, targeted field surveys covering much of the historical range have been conducted, involving over 1,000 km of walked transects and more than 450 hours of active search effort. Despite this exceptional survey intensity, fewer than 30 individuals (upper estimate) were detected. This is substantially below the current global estimate of ~340 mature individuals, suggesting that the true population size may be far smaller than previously assumed.
Under C2(i), the largest known subpopulation consists of at most 20 individuals, and under C2(ii), more than 90% of all remaining individuals are inferred to occur in a single subpopulation. Furthermore, the population is dominated by mature individuals, indicating limited recruitment and raising serious concerns about ongoing population viability.
Taken together, the magnitude of recent decline, extremely small population size, severe subpopulation structure, and lack of evidence for recovery provide strong justification for uplisting Botha’s Lark to Critically Endangered.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 16 February 2026.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Botha’s Lark is recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered under Criteria A2bc+4bc; C1+2a(i,ii).
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2026.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
I would only assess the species as Critically Endangered under criterion A. The best estimate for population size (i.e. the one that should be compared to the Red List thresholds), as outlined above is 340 mature individuals, which exceeds the CR threshold of 250. If criterion C is to be used, then the ‘best estimate’ value of 340 should be removed and thus the wider estimate of 200-650 could be used.
I would assume that the species should be considered as a single subpopulation, given dispersal ability and the small range.
We have received a comment by email from Paul Donald:
‘raising Botha’s Lark to CR is absolutely justified and necessary, the species is rapidly going down the pan.’
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 2 February 2026. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List category on this page on 2 February 2026, when discussions will re-open.
We thank James Westrip for his comment. Given the extreme concern expressed over the species’ current predicament, the previously stated best population estimate will be removed. The range has been retained based on the most recent data available, but we suspect the true population size is likely towards the lower end of this range.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2026 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classification outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 8 February 2026, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2026 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
We strongly support the uplisting of Botha’s Lark Spizocorys fringillaris to Critically Endangered, with Criterion A2 providing the most compelling justification. Available data indicate an estimated population decline of approximately 86% over the past 10 years, clearly exceeding the threshold for CR under A2. This decline is inferred from intensive field surveys, habitat loss and degradation across the species’ range, and ongoing anthropogenic pressures, with no evidence of stabilisation or recovery.
In addition, the species clearly meets Criterion C, particularly C2. Extensive, targeted field surveys covering much of the historical range have been conducted, involving over 1,000 km of walked transects and more than 450 hours of active search effort. Despite this exceptional survey intensity, fewer than 30 individuals (upper estimate) were detected. This is substantially below the current global estimate of ~340 mature individuals, suggesting that the true population size may be far smaller than previously assumed.
Under C2(i), the largest known subpopulation consists of at most 20 individuals, and under C2(ii), more than 90% of all remaining individuals are inferred to occur in a single subpopulation. Furthermore, the population is dominated by mature individuals, indicating limited recruitment and raising serious concerns about ongoing population viability.
Taken together, the magnitude of recent decline, extremely small population size, severe subpopulation structure, and lack of evidence for recovery provide strong justification for uplisting Botha’s Lark to Critically Endangered.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 16 February 2026.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Botha’s Lark is recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered under Criteria A2bc+4bc; C1+2a(i,ii).
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2026.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites later this year, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.