Photo: J G Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Short-clawed Lark
Certhilauda chuana
Short-clawed Lark (Certhilauda chuana) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Short-clawed Lark (Certhilauda chuana) is a member of the Alaudidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 44.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Alaudidae Larks
- Genus Certhilauda
- Species chuana
Quick facts
- Weight
- 44.1 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Short-clawed Lark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Short-clawed Lark is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Short-clawed Lark (Certhilauda chuana) belongs to the Alaudidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF se Botswana and n, ne South Africa.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 44.1 g, with a wing length of about 9.9 cm and a tail of around 7.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 127,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Short-clawed Lark?
The Short-clawed Lark is a small bird that weighs around 44.1 g.
Where does the Short-clawed Lark live?
The Short-clawed Lark is found across Africa with a range covering AF se Botswana and n, ne South Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Short-clawed Lark belong to?
The Short-clawed Lark (Certhilauda chuana) belongs to the Alaudidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Short-clawed Lark eat?
The Short-clawed Lark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Short-clawed Lark migrate?
The Short-clawed Lark is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Short-clawed Lark endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Short-clawed Lark make?
1 real field recording of the Short-clawed Lark — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Short-clawed Lark's range?
The Short-clawed Lark has a mapped global range of about 127,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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