The Cape clapper lark has grey upperparts and a grey face, and the Agulhas clapper lark has dark brown upperparts, although individual variation means that it cannot always be reliably distinguished from the nominate race.
The Cape clapper lark has gray upperparts and a gray face, while the Agulhas clapper lark has dark brown upperparts. Despite these differences, there can be significant individual variation that makes it difficult to reliably identify one species from another or distinguish them from their nominate form.