Photo: DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Masked Lark
Spizocorys personata
Masked Lark (Spizocorys personata) — 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 Masked Lark (Spizocorys personata) is a member of the Alaudidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 19.7 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 Spizocorys
- Species personata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 19.7 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Masked Lark is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Masked Lark is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Masked Lark (Spizocorys personata) is a species of bird in the Alaudidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Ethiopia and Kenya.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 19.7 g, with a wing length of about 8.4 cm and a tail of around 5.1 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 73,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Masked Lark?
The Masked Lark is a small bird that weighs around 19.7 g.
Where does the Masked Lark live?
The Masked Lark is found across Africa with a range covering AF Ethiopia and Kenya, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Masked Lark belong to?
The Masked Lark (Spizocorys personata) belongs to the Alaudidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Masked Lark eat?
The Masked Lark is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Masked Lark migrate?
The Masked Lark is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Masked 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.
How large is the Masked Lark's range?
The Masked Lark has a mapped global range of about 73,000 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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How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.