Photo: Rickard Holgersson / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-tailed Lark
Mirafra albicauda
White-tailed Lark (Mirafra albicauda) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-tailed Lark (Mirafra albicauda) is a member of the Alaudidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 22.2 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 Mirafra
- Species albicauda
Where it lives
Western Chad; eastern Sudan, northeastern South Sudan, south-central Ethiopia; Uganda and western Kenya to central Tanzania
Quick facts
- Weight
- 22.2 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-tailed 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 White-tailed Lark is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-tailed Lark (Mirafra albicauda) is a species of bird in the Alaudidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF w Chad; e Sudan, ne South Sudan, sc Ethiopia; Uganda and w Kenya to c Tanzania.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 22.2 g, with a wing length of about 7.9 cm and a tail of around 4.9 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 517,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-tailed Lark?
The White-tailed Lark is a small bird that weighs around 22.2 g.
Where does the White-tailed Lark live?
The White-tailed Lark is found across Africa with a range covering AF w Chad; e Sudan, ne South Sudan, sc Ethiopia; Uganda and w Kenya to c Tanzania, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the White-tailed Lark belong to?
The White-tailed Lark (Mirafra albicauda) belongs to the Alaudidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-tailed Lark eat?
The White-tailed Lark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the White-tailed Lark migrate?
The White-tailed Lark is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-tailed 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 White-tailed Lark make?
1 real field recording of the White-tailed 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 White-tailed Lark's range?
The White-tailed Lark has a mapped global range of about 517,000 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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