A beautiful, elegant desert lark. Head pattern striking with a black Zorro-mask, a black throat, and narrow black “horns” or ear tufts. Overall pale sandy, but note that males have a sharper head pattern than females. In flight its long tail is prominently dark. Inhabits sandy or stony desert plains and low hills. Breeds on the ground under a bush. Male gives a melodic high-pitched whistle often during display flights, “Tsu tsi tsu-tsu, tsu-tsu.”