Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix leucotis
The Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix leucotis) is a rare lark found in 28 countries, weighing about 16 g. The chestnut-backed sparrow-lark is a passerine bird which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
About the Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
The chestnut-backed sparrow-lark is a passerine bird which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is a small lark at 11 cm. The male is striking, with solid black underparts and head apart from brilliant white patches on the nape and behind the eyes. The upperparts and wings are chestnut with some dark streaking. The thick bill is grey. The female chestnut-backed sparrow-lark is a drabber bird with heavily streaked buff-white underparts and head, and a white nape collar. The upperparts are chestnut with mottling. Young birds are like the female.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark can be seen all year round, with peak activity in December. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark?
- This is a small lark at 11 cm. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark?
- The Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark is a small sized bird weighing about 16 g.
- Where can you see a Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark?
- The Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark occurs in 28 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Senegal, Nigeria and Botswana.
- What birds look similar to a Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark?
- The Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark is most easily confused with the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark, the Fischer's Sparrow-Lark and the Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark.
- Is the Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark endangered?
- The Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.