Identified by the prominent feather crest on its head, the Crested Lark prefers grassy or arid country, and cultivated plains, and is often found near human habitation. It can be seen nearly everywhere in Wadi Faynan, moving amongst the sand and rocks on the ground, where it nests.

The Bedouin of Wadi Faynan see the lark as a useful tool in the detection of snakes, because the birds will cry and flutter with great excitement when they see one. Because of the small size of the bird, the Crested Lark was never caught for food. A Bedouin man in Faynan informed us that its call means: ‘What is the use for me? Bread is more useful than me.’