Blanford's lark or Blanford's short-toed lark is a small passerine bird of the lark family, Alaudidae, which is native to north-eastern Africa. Its common name commemorates the English zoologist William Thomas Blanford.
Region
Horn of Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from Eritrea and eastern Ethiopia through Djibouti into northern and central Somalia. It inhabits open semi-desert, gravelly or stony flats, sparsely grassed plains, and degraded steppe with scattered low shrubs. Often found in overgrazed areas, road verges, and fallow fields with plenty of bare ground for foraging. Nests are placed on the ground, often tucked against a clump of grass or small shrub where shade and concealment are available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Blanford's lark is a small, ground-dwelling lark of the arid Horn of Africa, named after the English zoologist William Thomas Blanford. It favors sparsely vegetated, stony or sandy plains where its sandy plumage provides excellent camouflage. Males perform fluttering song flights over territories in the breeding season. Like many larks, it shifts from more insect-rich diets in breeding months to more seeds outside that period.
Temperament
wary and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding, low over the ground; aerial display flights during song
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly, in pairs, or in small loose groups outside the breeding season. Breeding is largely monogamous; nests are shallow ground scrapes lined with fine grasses. The species relies on camouflage and crouching when threatened, flushing only at close range. Family parties may linger together after fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, tinkling series of trills and twittering phrases delivered from a short aerial display or a low perch. Calls include dry chips and soft rattles, often given in brief bursts as the bird lifts into song flight. The overall song is light and slightly metallic compared to larger larks.
