Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix verticalis)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark

Eremopterix verticalis (Smith, A, 1836)

17 gWeight

The grey-backed sparrow-lark (Eremopterix verticalis) or grey-backed finch-lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae.

Busiest months: August and November · Most records: Namibia, South Africa, Zambia

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark has been recorded at 50 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 6 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Etosha NP – Okaukuejo CampNamibia191 records
  2. Etosha NP – Halali CampNamibia55 records
  3. Liuwa Plain NPZambia45 records
More places
  1. Benfontein NRSouth Africa37 records
  2. Augrabies Falls NPSouth Africa36 records
  3. Etosha NP – Namutoni CampNamibia35 records
  4. Spitzkoppe Nature ReserveNamibia32 records
  5. Hobatere – LodgeNamibia29 records
  6. Karoo NPSouth Africa21 records
  7. Chobe NPBotswana19 records

Countries and regions with the most records

NamibiaSouth AfricaZambiaBotswanaZimbabweAngola

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The grey-backed sparrow-lark (Eremopterix verticalis) or grey-backed finch-lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found in southern and south-central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark?

The Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark weighs around 17 g.

Where does the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark live?

Its breeding range: Africa: southern, south-central. It is most often recorded in Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.

When is the best time to see the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in August and November (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark as Least Concern.

What does the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark eat?

Main food: Seeds.

What family is the Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark in?

It belongs to the family Larks (Alaudidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Weight
17 g
Habitat
Grassland
Diet
Seeds
Lifestyle
Active on the ground
Migration
Migratory
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
80 mm
Tail
47 mm
Bill
11 mm
Tarsus
17 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: southern, south-central

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Larks Alaudidae
Genus
Eremopterix

Other birds in the genus Eremopterix

Black-eared Sparrow-LarkBlack-eared Sparrow-LarkEremopterix australisMadagascar LarkMadagascar LarkEremopterix hovaBlack-crowned Sparrow-LarkBlack-crowned Sparrow-LarkEremopterix nigricepsChestnut-backed Sparrow-LarkChestnut-backed Sparrow-LarkEremopterix leucotisAshy-crowned Sparrow-LarkAshy-crowned Sparrow-LarkEremopterix griseusChestnut-headed Sparrow-LarkChestnut-headed Sparrow-LarkEremopterix signatusFischer's Sparrow-LarkFischer's Sparrow-LarkEremopterix leucopareiaGreater Hoopoe-LarkGreater Hoopoe-LarkAlaemon alaudipesLesser Hoopoe-LarkLesser Hoopoe-LarkAlaemon hamertoniBeesley's LarkBeesley's LarkChersomanes beesleyi
Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by zoelj. ↗

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