The Kenyan Red-Capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea williamsi) is a small African songbird. The African Red-Capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea) is found in southern and eastern Africa, with the Kenyan Red-Capped Lark localized to western Kenya (Calandrella cinerea saturatior) and central Kenya (Calandrella cinerea williamsi).

The Red-Capped Lark is streaky grey-brown with a rufous (red-brown) cap. It has white underparts and red shoulders. Young larks lack the red cap and red shoulders.

Kenyan Red-Capped Lark

It grows to about 15 centimetres (6 inches) tall.

It prefers to hide in grasslands in the highlands (above 1,000 metres), where it feeds on seeds and insects found on the ground. It is sometimes found in flocks which can number hundreds of birds.

The Red-Capped Lark breeds all year round, but mainly from September to December. The nest is cup-shaped, found in the ground and usually situated close to a grass tuft, stone or mound. The nest is lined with fine grass and rootlets.

Kenyan Red-Capped Lark

Kenyan Red-Capped Lark

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM