This blog was written by Matthew Orolowitz (the Birding Ecotours Fellow of Grasslands Conservation) on 15 April 2025.
In the vast, rolling grasslands of South Africa’s highveld, a small, unassuming bird is teetering on the brink of extinction. Botha’s Lark may not have the striking plumage or grandeur of other birds, but its decline signals a crisis for one of the country’s most overlooked ecosystems—grasslands. With only about 1% of its habitat falling within formally protected areas, the survival of this species depends on urgent conservation action.
A bird in trouble
Botha’s Lark is a true specialist, thriving in pristine, short-grass habitats with well-drained soils. Unlike other larks that can adapt to human-altered landscapes, this species struggles to persist in areas converted to croplands or encroached upon by human development. The lark’s already limited range is shrinking, making it highly vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change, and other human-made threats.
Adding to its plight, Botha’s Lark is not widely known outside conservation circles, making fundraising and advocacy efforts even more challenging. Yet its story is a crucial one, tied to the broader health of South Africa’s grasslands—an ecosystem that supports countless other species and provides vital services like carbon storage and water regulation.
Threats to survival
- Habitat destruction – Agriculture, afforestation, and expanding infrastructure projects rapidly transform the natural grasslands where Botha’s Lark lives. Once these habitats are lost, they are nearly impossible to restore to the species’ required conditions.
- Climate change – Changes in rainfall patterns and temperature may further threaten the lark’s specialized habitat. Prolonged droughts, more frequent extreme weather events, and shifting vegetation dynamics could make survival even more difficult.
- Wind energy expansion – While renewable energy is vital for reducing carbon emissions, poorly placed wind farms in sensitive areas pose risks to grassland birds, including Botha’s Lark.
- Lack of protected areas – With just a fraction of its range under formal protection, Botha’s Lark remains at the mercy of land-use changes driven by agricultural and economic pressures.
The conservation path forward
Despite these challenges, hope remains. Conservationists and researchers at BirdLife South Africa are working to understand Botha’s Lark better, mapping its remaining strongholds and engaging with landowners to implement sustainable land management practices, such as:
- Biodiversity stewardship: Since most of Botha’s Lark’s habitat falls on private or communal land, conservation efforts rely on collaboration with landowners. Farmers and land managers can be crucial in protecting critical grasslands while maintaining viable agricultural practices by participating in biodiversity stewardship projects.
- Research and monitoring: Ongoing studies on the lark’s population trends, breeding success, and movement patterns will help inform more effective conservation strategies.
- Advocacy and awareness: Raising public awareness about Botha’s Lark and its habitat is crucial for securing funding and policy support. Citizen science initiatives, birding tourism, and educational campaigns can all contribute to its conservation.
The Botha’s Lark is one of Africa’s rarest birds and it is on the verge of extinction.
Why it matters
The plight of Botha’s Lark concerns more than one species—it reflects the broader challenges facing South Africa’s grassland biome. If we fail to protect these ecosystems, we risk losing this unique bird and countless other species that depend on it.
Thanks to the support of Birding Ecotours, we are able to actively address this conservation issue through research, habitat conservation, and partnerships with landowners. By taking action now, we can give Botha’s Lark a fighting chance. This tiny bird may not command the spotlight, but its conservation is a big deal for the future of our natural heritage.
