Red capped lark

Introduction: All 3 subspecies of the red-capped lark (Calandrella cinerea) can be observed in Namibia. Often they are found in open grassland or in thinly vegetated dwarf shrubland. Saltmarsh vegetation and recently ploughed fields are also favoured. Flocks of hundreds are common.

Distribution: Widespread, but thinly distributed throughout the country. More common in Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast.
Diet: Pecks food from the ground as it walks. Eats termites, grasshoppers, wasps, snails and ants. Also takes seeds and grasses.

Description: A slender, long-winged, ash coloured (cinerea) lark with distinctive breast patches and rufous-crown. Songs consist of a series of high-pitched trills and whistles.
Breeding: Sometimes 2 to 4 pairs will nest as close as 25m apart. Females build most of the nest, built in a scrape, hollow or hoof print. Mostly 2 or 3 eggs are laid in March or from July to October.

Size: 16cm.

Weight: 24g.