Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

The common name and the Latin binomial commemorate the British zoologist Philip Lutley Sclater.

[2] Sclater's lark was originally placed within the genus Calandrella and some authorities continue to recognise that classification.

This species is alternately named as Sclater's short-toed lark.

[3] Sclater's lark is classified as Near Threatened due to its scarce and localised population in the Nama Karoo.