Corypha kidepoensis
The Kidepo Lark, *Corypha kidepoensis*, is a captivating medium-sized passerine, measuring approximately 16-18 cm in length with a wingspan of 28-32 cm and weighing 25-35 grams. Its plumage is a masterclass in cryptic camouflage, featuring sandy-brown upperparts heavily streaked with dark sepia, a pale buff supercilium, and a distinctive, erectile crest that often gives its head a somewhat peaked appearance. The underparts are off-white, with fine streaking across the breast that fades toward...
Primarily inhabits expansive, arid and semi-arid savanna grasslands, open dry bushland, and areas with short, sparse herbaceous cover, typically found at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,500 meters above sea level.
Feeds primarily on a variety of insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, ants, and caterpillars, supplemented by a significant intake of grass seeds and other small plant seeds, especially during the dry season, all gleaned from the ground.
The Kidepo Lark is predominantly diurnal, spending its days actively foraging on the ground or delivering its remarkable songs from prominent perches or during elaborate aerial displays, often referred to as "sky-larking," before roosting cryptically within dense grass tussocks at night. Foraging...
The Kidepo Lark is endemic to a relatively restricted savanna belt in East Africa, with its primary breeding range centered around the Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda. Its distribution extends eastward into adjacent northwestern Kenya, particularly within the Turkana Basin, and...
Near Threatened
- The Kidepo Lark's scientific name, *Corypha kidepoensis*, translates to "crested Kidepo," referencing its distinctive crest and discovery location. - Males can sing for up to 10 minutes continuously during their elaborate "sky-larking" aerial displays, sometimes reaching heights of over 100 met...