The rufous-naped lark or rufous-naped bush lark is a widespread and conspicuous species of lark in the lightly wooded grasslands, open savannas and farmlands of the Afrotropics. Males attract attention to themselves by a bold and often repeated wing-fluttering display from a prominent perch, which is accompanied by a melodious and far-carrying whistled phrase. This rudimentary display has been proposed as the precursor to the wing-clapping displays of other bush lark species. They have consistently rufous outer wings and a short erectile crest, but the remaining plumage hues and markings are individually and geographically variable. It has a straight lower, and longish, curved upper mandible.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from West to East and Southern Africa, avoiding dense rainforest and the most arid deserts. Prefers open or lightly wooded savannas, grassy fallows, and agricultural fields, often near scattered shrubs or termite mounds used as song posts. Common in human-modified landscapes where grass cover persists. Absent from closed-canopy forests and high alpine zones.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The rufous-naped lark is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, favoring lightly wooded grasslands, open savannas, and farmlands. Males perform conspicuous, repeated wing-fluttering displays from prominent perches while delivering a melodious, far-carrying whistled phrase. Its short, erectile crest and consistently rufous outer wings are key identification features, while the rest of the plumage varies across individuals and regions. The upper mandible is slightly curved with a straighter lower mandible, aiding ground foraging.
M. a. tropicalis in the Maasai Mara, Kenya
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with fluttering display flights
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs; males advertise territories from exposed perches such as bushes or termite mounds. Nests are cup-shaped structures on the ground, concealed among grasses. Breeding is largely monogamous, with the female incubating while the male defends and performs display flights.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, melodious whistled phrase that carries far, often delivered repeatedly from a perch or during a brief fluttering display. Notes are sweet and ringing, sometimes with short trills or pauses between phrases.
Plumage
Brown to gray-brown upperparts with dark streaking, paler buff underparts with fine streaking on the breast, and distinctly rufous outer wings. Short, erectile crest on the crown; variable supercilium and throat tone across populations.
Diet
Feeds mainly on grass seeds and the seeds of low herbs, supplemented by a variety of invertebrates such as beetles, ants, termites, and small orthopterans. Forages by walking and picking from the ground, occasionally probing among litter or low vegetation. Diet shifts more toward insects during the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Open grassy areas, grazed savannas, field margins, and recently burned patches where seeds and arthropods are accessible. Often forages along paths, road verges, and lightly cultivated plots.
