Stark's Lark
Spizocorys starki
Silhouette: Gossipguy and T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyAlaudidae (Larks)
- GenusSpizocorys (Short-tailed Larks and Allies)
- SpeciesSpizocorys starki (Stark's Lark)
About the Stark's Lark
Stark's lark (Spizocorys starki) is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Its natural habitats are dry savannah and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. Captain George Shelley named the species in honour of Arthur Stark.
Stark's lark was originally classified in the genus Calandrella and was then moved from the genus Eremalauda to Spizocorys in 2009. This species is alternately named as Stark's short-toed lark. It is a pale medium-small lark with a pale, stout bill that appears slightly swollen. It exhibits a subtle streaky pattern on its sandy-brown upperparts and a distinct pale eyebrow. The underparts are whitish with faint streaking, and the lark often displays a raised, streaked crest.
Stark's Larks are highly mobile, exhibiting nomadic behavior. Following rainfall events, they may form flocks ranging from small groups to large ones, occasionally associating with other species such as sparrow-larks or buntings. These birds exhibit a preference for arid grasslands characterized by gravel substrates, avoiding sandy areas. To cope with high ambient temperatures... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Stark's Lark in Etosha National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Etosha National Park
Pink-billed Lark
Spizocorys conirostris
Sabota Lark
Calendulauda sabota
Red-capped Lark
Calandrella cinerea
Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix verticalis
Spike-heeled Lark
Chersomanes albofasciata
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix leucotis
Fawn-colored Lark
Calendulauda africanoides
Monotonous Lark
Mirafra passerina
Dusky Lark
Pinarocorys nigricans
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
Lamprotornis nitens
African Red-eyed Bulbul
Pycnonotus nigricans
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 2 | Namib-Naukluft National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 3 | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Stark's Lark in Etosha National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Stark's Lark sighting in Etosha National Park, based on 473 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Stark's Lark in Etosha National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Stark's Lark in Etosha National Park in our monthly data.