Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark

Eremopterix nigriceps (Gould, 1839)

Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Eremopterix nigriceps, is a lark of arid and semi-arid plains across Africa and the Palearctic, from Mauritania to north-west India. It favours sandy ground with scattered low vegetation and grass tussocks, and has also been seen near salt pans. The adult male has a striking head pattern with a dark crown, white forehead and white cheek patches, while the female is much paler and sandy brown above. The species is also known by several alternative English names, including black-crowned finch lark and white-fronted sparrow-lark.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Alaudidae — Larks

Breeding range

Africa, Palearctic: Mauritania to nw India