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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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The red-capped lark is 14–15 cm (5.5–5.9 in) in length, with a typically upright stance. The colour of the streaked grey to brown upperparts is variable, with subspecies differing in hue and brightness, but this species is easily identified by its rufous cap, white underparts, and red shoulders. The short head crest is normally not noticeable except when it is raised during courtship displays.The sexes are similar in appearance. Juveniles lack the red cap and shoulders of the adults, have dark spotting on the breast, and white spots on the dark brown upperparts.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Red-capped Lark sounds like
Where the Red-capped Lark lives
When to see the Red-capped Lark
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Greater Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactylaSeveral subspecies have been named but there is considerable geneflow and the species itself forms part of a larger complex.
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