Photo: Derek Keats / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Dusky Lark
Pinarocorys nigricans
Dusky Lark (Pinarocorys nigricans) — 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 Dusky Lark (Pinarocorys nigricans) is a member of the Alaudidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 38.1 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 Pinarocorys
- Species nigricans
Quick facts
- Weight
- 38.1 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Dusky Lark is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Dusky Lark is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Dusky Lark (Pinarocorys nigricans) is a species of bird in the Alaudidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, s.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 38.1 g, with a wing length of about 11.5 cm and a tail of around 7.6 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 1.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Dusky Lark?
The Dusky Lark is a small bird that weighs around 38.1 g.
Where does the Dusky Lark live?
The Dusky Lark is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, s, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Dusky Lark belong to?
The Dusky Lark (Pinarocorys nigricans) belongs to the Alaudidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Dusky Lark eat?
The Dusky Lark is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Dusky Lark migrate?
The Dusky Lark is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Dusky 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 Dusky Lark make?
1 real field recording of the Dusky 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 Dusky Lark's range?
The Dusky Lark has a mapped global range of about 1.9 million 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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