A robust, elongated thrush-like lark with a striking rufous rump and outer tail, dark brown upperparts that are lightly scaled, heavily streaked pale underparts, and a boldly marked face. Female has more rufous on the wings. Juvenile is paler with heavily scaled upperparts. Pairs breed from October to April in open broadleaf woodland in a narrow latitudinal band in central Africa, often in recently burnt areas. Small post-breeding flocks disperse north and occupy arid savanna, fields, and other suitable habitat in an unpredictable manner. Pairs or loose flocks walk on the ground foraging for insects and seeds; hundreds may gather in burnt areas. Song, in aerial display, is a whistling “tseeeo-tseeeo.”