Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Black-eared Sparrow-Lark

Eremopterix australis

The black-eared sparrow-lark, also known as the black-eared finch lark, is a small, unassuming bird with a rather inconspicuous appearance, yet it holds a certain charm for those who take the time to observe it. Its plumage is primarily a blend of subtle earth tones, providing excellent camouflage against the arid landscapes it inhabits.

Identification Tips

When endeavoring to identify the black-eared sparrow-lark, look for its distinctive black ear patches, which are particularly prominent in males. The bird's overall coloration is a muted mix of browns and grays, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings.

Habitat

This species is well-adapted to life in subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, as well as subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It thrives in these arid environments, where vegetation is sparse and the ground is often parched.

Distribution

The black-eared sparrow-lark graces the southern reaches of the African continent, with its range extending through southern Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is a bird of the drylands, finding solace in the vast open spaces of these regions.

Behaviour

Observations of the black-eared sparrow-lark reveal a bird that is at home on the ground. It is here that it spends much of its time, foraging and going about its daily activities with a quiet diligence.

Similar Species

One may occasionally confuse the black-eared sparrow-lark with the grey-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix verticalis. However, the latter is generally recognized as a separate species and can be distinguished by differences in plumage and range.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the black-eared sparrow-lark is not extensively documented, but it is reasonable to infer that it consists of seeds and insects, as is typical for larks inhabiting similar environments.

Conservation status

BirdLife International has assessed the black-eared sparrow-lark as being of Least Concern. This suggests that, for now, the species does not face immediate threats that would jeopardize its survival.

In the vastness of the African shrubland, the black-eared sparrow-lark continues its existence, a small but enduring part of the continent's rich avian tapestry.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Black-eared Sparrow-Larks on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Lizelle Burden
Lizelle Burden
15 Jan 2024 - 2:42pm
South Africa

More Larks

A photo of a Greater Hoopoe-Lark (Alaemon alaudipes)

Greater Hoopoe-Lark

Alaemon alaudipes
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.