The rufous-capped lark is a small passerine bird of the lark family found in southwestern Arabia and Somaliland.
Region
Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in southwestern Arabia (notably Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia) and in the Somaliland region of northern Somalia. Prefers arid and semi-arid plains with sparse grasses and low shrubs, gravel flats, and lightly vegetated wadis. It favors open, stony or sandy terrain with plenty of bare ground for foraging. Nests are placed on the ground, often sheltered by a small tuft of vegetation. Local movements may follow rainfall and seed availability.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rufous-capped lark is a small desert-adapted lark found in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula and parts of Somaliland. It often sings from low perches or in brief song-flights over open, stony ground. Its sandy tones and crouching behavior make it difficult to spot until it flushes with a quick, low flight. It was formerly grouped with the lesser short-toed lark but is now widely treated as a separate species.
Temperament
wary and inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
low, undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs during the breeding season, forming small loose flocks outside it. Ground-nesting with a shallow cup placed under a grass tuft or small shrub. Males perform short song-flights and also sing from stones or low bushes. Pairs defend small territories during breeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, twittering series of trills and tinkling notes, often delivered in a brief aerial display. Calls include thin chirps and dry, ticking notes given in flight or while foraging.
Plumage
Sandy-brown upperparts with fine dark streaking, a warm rufous crown, and pale buff underparts with slight breast mottling. The wings show darker flight feathers with pale edges, and the tail is short with white outer feathers visible in flight.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small seeds from grasses and herbs, supplemented by insects such as ants, beetles, and small caterpillars, especially in the breeding season. It picks prey from the ground and low vegetation, often running in short bursts between pecks. Diet composition shifts with seasonal rainfall, taking advantage of fresh seed flushes and emergent invertebrates.
Preferred Environment
Forages on open, sparsely vegetated ground, gravel flats, and edges of tracks and wadis. Frequently uses areas with scattered shrubs that provide shade and cover near feeding sites.
