It is one of several species that were moved to the resurrected genus Corypha based on the results of a large molecular genetic study by the Swedish ornithologist Per Alström and collaborators that was published in 2023.

[5][6] Two subspecies are recognized:[2] This species and the Kidepo lark (Corypha kidepoensis) were formerly treated as conspecific.

The Kidepo lark was elevated to species status based on results of a comprehensive integrated study of the genus Corypha that was published in 2024.

[2][7] It is a larger version of the rufous-naped lark, with a more robust bill and longer tail,[8] but their morphological and vocal features do not intergrade where they occur together.

It occurs within Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, and its estimated global extent of occurrence is 660,000 km2.