Sidamo lark will likely become the first known bird species to vanish from mainland Africa

The Sidamo Lark (Heteromirafra sidamoensis) is endemic to Ethiopia. Always a rare sight, the elusive bird may soon vanish from the prairie grasses of Ethiopia forever. Listed as Vulnerable since 2000 on the IUCN Red List, it was uplisted to Endangered in 2007, and then further to Critically Endangered in 2009. Its habitat already restricted to less than 100 square kilometers, the lark is rapidly losing territory as local residents, the Borana ethnic group, convert grassland into heavily grazed pasture. Unless the Borana are allowed to resume their nomadic ways, within the next few years the Sidamo lark will likely become the first known bird species to vanish from mainland Africa, researchers say.

Sources:
World Watch Institute, 15 November 2011
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6123
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidamo_Lark