The red-capped lark is a small passerine bird that breeds in the highlands of eastern Africa southwards from Ethiopia and Somaliland. In the south, its range stretches across the continent to Angola and south to the Cape in South Africa.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from the highlands of Ethiopia and Somaliland south through Kenya and Tanzania, extending west to Angola and south to South Africa’s Cape region. Prefers open country with very short grass, fallow fields, airfields, and recently burned or overgrazed areas. It uses both natural grasslands and human-modified habitats such as pastures and farmlands. Within its range it is generally common where suitable short sward is available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Red-capped larks are ground-dwelling larks that favor very short, open grass and bare soil, often created by grazing or recent burns. Males perform fluttering song flights and also sing from low perches such as stones or clods. They are adaptable and benefit from short swards around airstrips, pastures, and croplands. Multiple subspecies vary subtly in tone and streaking across eastern and southern Africa.
Temperament
wary and ground-oriented
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with fluttering song-flights
Social Behavior
Often in pairs during breeding, becoming gregarious in small flocks outside the breeding season. Nests are shallow cups on the ground, well hidden in short vegetation. Clutches are typically 2–3 eggs, and both adults contribute to care. Displays include song-flights and ground posturing near the nest site.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A bright, tinkling series of trills and chirps, delivered from the ground or during brief, fluttering song-flights. Calls are dry chips and soft twitters used to keep contact within loose groups.
Plumage
Compact lark with a warm rufous crown and nape, grey-brown upperparts with fine streaking, and pale underparts with light streaking on the breast flanks. Feathers are fairly plain on the back, enhancing camouflage against earth and short grass.
Diet
Feeds on small seeds of grasses and herbs, supplemented by insects such as ants, beetles, and larvae—especially during the breeding season. It picks items from the ground and probes lightly in loose soil. Opportunistic around recently burned areas where prey is exposed. Will also glean along track edges and short turf created by grazing livestock.
Preferred Environment
Short, open grasslands, overgrazed pastures, fallow fields, and airstrips with extensive bare ground. Frequently forages along paths, road verges, and recently burned patches.
