The Arabian lark is a small passerine bird of the lark family. It is a desert bird which is found from Syria to Jordan and through Saudi Arabia to Oman.
Region
Arabian Peninsula and Levant
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Syria and Jordan through much of Saudi Arabia to Oman, with populations in adjacent parts of the Arabian Peninsula. It occupies open sandy deserts, gravel plains, and sparsely vegetated wadis where low shrubs and annuals occur after rains. It avoids rugged mountains and dense vegetation, favoring flat, open terrain for running and foraging. Nests are built on the ground in shallow scrapes sheltered by small plants or clumps of grass.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Arabian lark is a small desert lark adapted to open sandy and gravel plains, where its sandy plumage provides excellent camouflage. It often runs rather than flies when disturbed and performs short display flights while singing after rains trigger breeding. Formerly treated as a subspecies of Dunn’s lark, it is now recognized by several authorities as a distinct species in Arabia and the Levant.
Temperament
secretive and ground-oriented
Flight Pattern
low, undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small loose groups outside the breeding season. Nests are shallow ground scrapes lined with plant material, placed under a small shrub or tussock for shade. Breeding is often timed to follow rainfall when insects and seeds are abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, tinkling series of trills and twittering notes, delivered from the ground, a low perch, or during a brief display flight. Calls are thin and high, used to keep contact in sparse cover.
