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Showing posts with label THEKLA LARK (Galerida theklae). Show all posts
Showing posts with label THEKLA LARK (Galerida theklae). Show all posts

Friday, 21 September 2018

20-9-2018 ALARCOS, LA MANCHA - THEKLA LARK (Galerida theklae)


Thekla's lark, a modestly sized avian, is somewhat smaller than its cousin, the Eurasian skylark. It is distinguished by its long, spiky, and erectile crest. The plumage is predominantly a dark-streaked grey above and a paler whitish below, with both sexes appearing similar in their muted tones.

When identifying Thekla's lark, look for its greyer appearance compared to the Eurasian skylark, as well as the absence of white on the wing and tail edges. The bird's smaller stature and shorter bill set it apart from the crested lark. In flight, one can discern its grey underwings, contrasting with the reddish underwings of the crested lark.

This species favors the rugged terrain, where scrub and semi-arid grasslands intersperse with bare patches of earth, often at various altitudes.

Thekla's lark graces a broad range, from the Iberian Peninsula across northern Africa to sub-Saharan regions, reaching from Senegal to Somalia. It is a sedentary bird, choosing not to migrate but to remain within its native lands.


Thekla's lark is a ground nester, laying a clutch of two to six eggs. Its diet consists of seeds and insects, with the latter being particularly important during the breeding season.

The lark's song is a melodious and varied composition, incorporating mournful whistles and elements of mimicry. Softer and more tuneful than the crested lark's call, it can be heard from the ground, in flight, or perched visibly.

Thekla's lark's breeding habits involve nesting on the ground, where it lays its eggs and feeds its young primarily on insects.


Thekla's lark can be confused with the crested lark, but careful observation of size, plumage, and underwing coloration during flight can aid in differentiation.

A diet of weed seeds and insects sustains Thekla's lark, with a preference for the latter during the breeding season to provide for its offspring.

Despite a declining population in Spain, Thekla's lark is considered a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, thanks to its wide range and commonality.

Wednesday, 5 October 2016

5-10-2016 ALBACETE, SPAIN - THEKLA LARK (Galerida theklae)




Thekla's lark (Galerida theklae ), also known as the Thekla lark, is a species of lark that breeds on the Iberian Peninsula, in northern Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Somalia. It is a sedentary (non-migratory) species. This is a common bird of dry open country, often at some altitude. Thekla's lark was named by Alfred Edmund Brehm in 1857 for his recently deceased sister Thekla Brehm (1833–1857). The name is a modern Greek one, Θέκλα (Thekla), which comes from ancient Greek Θεόκλεια (Theokleia) derived from θεός (theos, "god") and κλέος (kleos, "glory" or "honour"). The population is declining in Spain, but this is a common bird with a very wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".


This is a smallish lark, slightly smaller than the Eurasian skylark. It has a long, spiky, erectile crest. It is greyer than the Eurasian skylark, and lacks the white wing and tail edge of that species. It is very similar to the widespread crested lark. It is smaller and somewhat greyer than that species, and has a shorter bill. In flight it shows grey underwings, whereas the crested lark has reddish underwings. The body is mainly dark-streaked grey above and whitish below. The sexes are similar.

Thekla's lark is native and resident in France, Spain, Portugal, Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Tunisia and Western Sahara. Its typical habitat is rugged areas with scrub, bare patches of ground and semi-arid grassland.

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

28-1-2014 LORCA, MURCIA - THEKLA LARK (Galerida theklae)


Thekla's lark (Galerida theklae), also known as the Thekla lark, is a species of lark that breeds on the Iberian Peninsula, in northern Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Somalia. It is a sedentary (non-migratory) species. This is a common bird of dry open country, often at some altitude. Thekla's lark was named by Alfred Edmund Brehm in 1857 for his recently deceased sister Thekla Brehm (1833–1857). The name is a modern Greek one, Θέκλα (Thekla), which comes from ancient Greek Θεόκλεια (Theokleia) derived from θεός (theos, "god") and κλέος (kleos, "glory" or "honour"). The population is declining in Spain, but this is a common bird with a very wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".


This is a smallish lark, slightly smaller than the Eurasian skylark. It has a long, spiky, erectile crest. It is greyer than the Eurasian skylark, and lacks the white wing and tail edge of that species. It is very similar to the widespread crested lark. It is smaller and somewhat greyer than that species, and has a shorter bill. In flight, it shows grey underwings, whereas the crested lark has reddish underwings. The body is mainly dark-streaked grey above and whitish below. The sexes are similar.
Thekla's lark is native and resident in France, Spain, Portugal, Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Tunisia and Western Sahara. Its typical habitat is rugged areas with scrub, bare patches of ground and semi-arid grassland.

It nests on the ground, laying two to six eggs. Its food is weed, seeds and insects, the latter especially in the breeding season.

The song is melodious and varied, with mournful whistles and mimicry included. It is softer and more tuneful than that of the crested lark, and may be sung during flight or from the ground or an exposed perch.