Desert Lark

The Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti) breeds in deserts and semi-deserts from Morocco to western India. It grows to a length of 16 to 17 cm and has a huge head and long bill. While there is considerable geographic diversity, the sexes are similar. It has drab plumage that ranges in color from relatively pale to rather black. While the plumage of different subspecies may vary, so too may individuals within groups. It resembles the bar-tailed lark in appearance, but it is slightly bigger, has a less-domed head, a wider, larger beak, sturdier legs, and a longer tail. Most of the several subspecies' upper parts are a light greyish brown, however, some races are extremely washed out and others have quite deep colors.

Some larks resemble the bar-tailed lark in that they have some rufous color on their wings and tail, but those species' underparts are a light pinkish grey and have considerably more streaking. The desert lark also lacks the terminal black band on its tail, however it may have a diffuse dark patch. Sand-colored birds are more prevalent in sandy places, grey-colored birds are more prevalent in rocky areas, and the darkest birds are found in deserts where basalt is the predominant rock.