Due to the inherent variability of the species, some of the 23–25 odd races are perhaps insufficiently distinct or clinal. Consequently, "M. a. rostrata" and "M. a. zuluensis" are sometimes merged with "M. a. africana", and "M. a. okahandjae" with "M. a. pallida". On the other hand, a few taxa are arguably incipient or full species. The distinctly plumaged blackish lark comprises races "M. a. nyikae" and "M. a. nigrescens", and is altitudinally isolated from "M. a. transvaalensis" in nearby Tanzania. Malbrant's lark, "M. (a.) malbranti", which ranges from Gabon to Angola, has a fairly distinct display flight, but may intergrade with "M. a. kabalii" in Zambia.