Fischer's Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix leucopareia
Female. Savanna habitat in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Dec. 2015.
The brown and gray color of lark species allow them to be camouflaged in their typical open, savanna habitat. However, without bold marks most are hard to tell apart from the many similar species. The male of Fischer's (below) is an exception with its black face and bold white cheek patch. Larks are primarily insectivorous but this species also feeds on grass seeds and has a heavier finch-like bill to handle them.
Alaudidae -- Lark Family
Books:
- Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
- Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe