Colour varies regionally, but this species is consistently boldly marked above and below and lacks rufous in the outer wing. The bill is short and dark (the lower mandible being paler), and a straight, white eye-stripe runs from the base of the bill to the nape, giving the head a capped appearance. The bill size decreases from west to east. large-billed race [F2]naevia[/F2] in west treated by some as a full species (Bradfield's Lark).
Thornveld and arid savanna.
A jumbled song of rich, melodious 'chips' and twitterings; mimics other birds. Often calls from an elevated patch.