The Sidamo Lark (Heteromirafra sidamoensis) is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia.
Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss and unlike previously believed its population is declining. Thus, it is uplisted again to Endangered in the 2007 IUCN Red List from the Vulnerable status it held since 2000.

There is a significant lack of knowledge regarding the Sidamo lark’s biology and ecology. Like other larks, it is a ground-dwelling bird (3), typically seen stood upright, but it will quickly scuttle away to dense cover when disturbed (2). It is not known what this species feeds on (2), but other larks consume a diet of invertebrates, plant matter and seeds (3). Male Sidamo larks have been observed performing aerial displays between January and May, which involve singing whilst circling over their territory (2).
Threats
Its occurrence in just one small region, in which there are no protected areas (2), makes the Sidamo lark highly vulnerable to any threats. Currently, the greatest threat appears to be the loss of its habitat. As human populations in the region rise, largely due to the immigration of people from nearby areas hit by drought or tribal conflict, more land is converted to permanent agriculture (4), destroying the grassland required by the lark. Between 1973 and 2002, suitable grassland habitat in the area declined by about 30 percent and, in recent years, more has been lost to the rapid encroachment of shrubs (4). Excessive grazing pressure and the suppression of natural seasonal fires has created favourable conditions for the encroaching shrubs (4). Finally, a watering point has been developed in the centre of the Sidamo lark’s range, leading to an increase in livestock in the area, which impacts the Sidamo lark through disturbance, overgrazing and trampling (4).
Conservation
In 2007, an expedition took place to investigate the status of the Sidamo lark (4), but otherwise, conservation action for this Endangered bird is lacking. A number of conservation measures have been recommended by the global bird conservation organisation, BirdLife, including further surveys and research, investigations to determine what causes bushes to encroach on grassland, and ascertaining the best way to protect areas of the Sidamo lark’s habitat from further degradation and disturbance (4).
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