Corypha fasciolata
The Eastern Clapper Lark, scientifically known as *Corypha fasciolata*, is a medium-sized passerine, reaching lengths of 14-16 cm and weighing between 20-30 grams. It exhibits a cryptic sandy-brown plumage, heavily streaked with darker brown on the upperparts, providing excellent camouflage in its grassland habitat. A pale supercilium is often present, and its underparts are buffy to whitish, with streaking on the breast. A key diagnostic field mark, particularly noticeable in flight, is the ...
Primarily inhabits dry grasslands, open savanna, and arid shrublands, often with sparse grass and sandy soils. It is typically found in lowland areas, avoiding dense forests and high elevations.
Feeds primarily on a variety of insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles, and ants, supplemented with seeds from grasses and other plants. It forages by gleaning food from the ground surface.
Eastern Clapper Larks are diurnal, spending most of their active hours foraging on the ground, often moving with a distinctive jerky run-and-pause gait. They roost on the ground, typically concealed within tussocks or sparse vegetation. Foraging involves gleaning insects and seeds directly from t...
The Eastern Clapper Lark is a widespread resident across southern Africa, with its primary distribution stretching from southern Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo eastward through Zambia and Zimbabwe, extending south into Botswana, Namibia, and northern South Africa. It occupies arid to...
Least Concern
- The 'clapping' sound that gives this lark its name is produced by the wings striking each other over the bird's back during its dramatic aerial display flight. - Despite its name, several other lark species in Africa are also known to produce clapping sounds during their display flights, making...