Males attract attention to themselves by a bold and often repeated wing-fluttering display from a prominent perch, which is accompanied by a melodious and far-carrying whistled phrase.

[3] They have consistently rufous outer wings and a short erectile crest,[2] but the remaining plumage hues and markings are individually and geographically variable.

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.

[4][5] In 2024 a comprehensive study of taxa placed in the genus Corypha was published that combined the analysis of the plumage, morphology, vocalization and phylogenetics.

It is a smaller version of the first, with a finer bill and shorter tail,[9] but their morphological and vocal features do not intergrade where their ranges meet.

The distinctly plumaged blackish lark comprises races M. a. nyikae and M. a. nigrescens, and is altitudinally isolated from M. a. transvaalensis in nearby Tanzania.

malbranti, which ranges from Gabon to Angola, has a fairly distinct display flight, but may intergrade with M. a. kabalii in Zambia.

sharpii, of northwestern Somalia, has almost plain, coppery red upper parts[13] and is sometimes (e.g., by Sibley and Monroe) regarded as a separate and endangered species.

[3] The hindcrown and nape are streaked along the feather centers[13] while the margins vary from chestnut, rufous or pinkish buff to greyish brown.

[9] Most accepted races are distinguished based on the colour of the back or underpart plumage, or the amount of streaking on the ear coverts and flanks.

High altitude races M. a. nyikae and M. a. nigrescens, which occur above 2,000 meters, have very dark upper part plumages and increased flank streaking.

[21] The southern African population has not contracted in range or abundance, save for areas of extensive cultivation or urbanization.

[3] It tolerates a range of dry or mesic habitats, typically bushy grassland or sparsely wooded savannah.

Short distances are covered in low, level or undulating flight, or it may flee an intruder by running and dodging through grass haphazardly.

A clear, somewhat variable, whistled phrase of three to five syllables is typical, which may be rendered as tseep-tseeoo, teeoo-teewee[13] or chiwiki-chiwi.

A flimsy or substantial grass dome (typical of Mirafra and related genera) covers the nest while leaving a front entrance.

[7] It forages at the bases of grass tufts, on bare ground including cultivated lands and fallow fields, and between ungulate droppings.

Food includes insects of various groups, spiders, solifugids, millipedes, earthworms, and in winter[12] some seeds of grasses and forbs.