Alaudala

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Alaudala is a genus of larks in the bird family Alaudidae. The name Alaudala is a diminutive form of Alauda. One member of this genus is the Mediterranean short-toed lark (Alaudala rufescens).

In 2020, scientists did a molecular study comparing DNA from the sand, Asian short-toed, and lesser short-toed larks. They looked at 130 birds representing 16 of the 18 recognized subspecies. The results showed that the Asian short-toed lark and the lesser short-toed lark, as currently defined, are not monophyletic (they don’t form a single, complete branch). Many subspecies were also non-monophyletic. The researchers did not propose a revised classification yet, saying more studies on calls, mating behavior, and ecology are needed.

The genus Alaudala includes several species of short-toed larks, including the Mediterranean short-toed lark (Alaudala rufescens).