Melanocorypha is from melas, "black", and koruphos a term used by ancient writers for a now unknown bird, but here confused with korudos, "lark".

The specific yeltoniensis is from Lake Yelton in the Volgograd region of Russia.

The adult male is unmistakable, being all black with some pale feather fringes on its back, and with a yellowish or pink bill.

It is partially migratory, with birds from the northwest of its breeding range moving south-east to winter further into Russia and neighbouring countries, as far as the northern Black Sea coasts in southern Ukraine.

[citation needed] An individual was also recorded on an unknown date (prior to 2003) in Lebanon.