The ashy-crowned sparrow-lark is a small sparrow-sized member of the lark family. It is found in the plains in open land with bare ground, grass and scrub across South Asia. The males are well marked with a contrasting black-and-white face pattern, while females are sandy brown, looking similar to a female sparrow. Males are easily detected during the breeding season by the long descending whistle that accompanies their undulating and dive-bombing flight displays.
Region
South Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across the Indian subcontinent, including much of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, favoring dry plains and semi-arid landscapes. It prefers open habitats with patches of bare soil, low grass, and scattered scrub, and readily uses agricultural margins and fallow fields. The species also frequents sandy riverbeds, coastal flats, and salt pans where vegetation is sparse. Urban fringes and dry wastelands can hold stable local populations provided there is open ground and seed availability.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This small lark thrives in open, sparsely vegetated ground, from fallow fields to sandy scrub and salt pans. Males show a striking black-and-white face with an ashy-grey crown and perform undulating aerial displays with a long descending whistle. Nests are simple ground scrapes, making the species vulnerable to trampling and ground predators. Outside the breeding season they often gather in small, loose flocks.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding, undulating display flights
Social Behavior
Breeds in pairs with ground nests placed in shallow scrapes lined with grasses. Outside the breeding season it forms small, loose flocks that forage on open ground. Both adults may attend the young, and birds often dust-bathe at communal spots.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The male delivers a clear, long, descending whistle during aerial display flights. Calls are soft chirps and twitters, with sharper notes when flushed or alarmed.
Plumage
Male shows an ashy-grey crown with a bold black mask and throat bordered by clean white, sandy-brown upperparts, and pale underparts with a dark breast patch. Female is sandy-brown with fine streaking above and pale, lightly streaked underparts, lacking the male’s sharp facial contrasts. Both sexes have short, rounded wings and a compact, sparrow-like build.
Diet
Feeds mainly on grass and weed seeds, supplementing with small insects such as ants, termites, and beetles, especially in the breeding season. It picks items from the ground with quick, deliberate pecks. Termite emergences are exploited opportunistically, and spilled grain in agricultural areas is readily taken.
Preferred Environment
Forages on bare soil, short-grass patches, field edges, and sandy flats where visibility is high. Often uses paths, fallow plots, and salt pans with scattered low vegetation.
