Photo: Peter Wilton / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Somali Short-toed Lark
Alaudala somalica
Somali Short-toed Lark (Alaudala somalica) — 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 Somali Short-toed Lark (Alaudala somalica) is a member of the Alaudidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 24.1 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 Alaudala
- Species somalica
Quick facts
- Weight
- 24.1 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Somali Short-toed Lark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of arid, desert country, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Somali Short-toed Lark is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Somali Short-toed Lark (Alaudala somalica) is a species of bird in the Alaudidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, ne.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 24.1 g, with a wing length of about 8.8 cm and a tail of around 5.3 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 203,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Somali Short-toed Lark?
The Somali Short-toed Lark is a small bird that weighs around 24.1 g.
Where does the Somali Short-toed Lark live?
The Somali Short-toed Lark is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, ne, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Somali Short-toed Lark belong to?
The Somali Short-toed Lark (Alaudala somalica) belongs to the Alaudidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Somali Short-toed Lark eat?
The Somali Short-toed Lark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Somali Short-toed Lark migrate?
The Somali Short-toed Lark is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Somali Short-toed 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 Somali Short-toed Lark make?
1 real field recording of the Somali Short-toed 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 Somali Short-toed Lark's range?
The Somali Short-toed Lark has a mapped global range of about 203,000 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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