Thekla Lark

Spotted in the Alentejo region of Portugal.                                              Thekla Lark sound

The Thekla Lark, Galerida theklae, breeds in Iberia, northern Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Somalia. It is a sedentary species.

Thekla Lark Birding Portugal
Thekla Lark

More photos at the bottom of this page.

This is a common bird of dry open country, often at some altitude. It nests on the ground, laying two to six eggs. Its food is weed seeds and insects, the latter especially in the breeding season.

This is a smallish lark, slightly smaller than Skylark. It has a long spiky erectile crest. It is greyer than Skylark, and lacks the white wing and tail edged of that species.

It is very similar to the widespread Crested Lark, Galerida cristata. It is smaller and somewhat greyer than that species, and has a shorter bill. In flight it shows grey underwings, whereas Crested has reddish underwings. The body is mainly dark-streaked grey above and whitish below. The sexes are similar.

The song is melodious and varied, with mournful whistles and mimicry included. It is softer and more tuneful than that of Crested Lark.

Thekla Lark Birding Portugal
Thekla Lark
Thekla Lark Birding Portugal
Thekla Lark
Thekla Lark Birding Portugal
Thekla Lark
Thekla Lark Birding Portugal
Thekla Lark
Thekla Lark Birding Portugal
Thekla Lark

Other synonyms:

Catalan: Cogullada fosca, Cucullada
Catalan (Balears): Cucullada
Czech: Chocholouš vavrínový
Danish: Theklalærke
German: Lorbeerlerche, Thekla Lerche, Theklalerche
English: Short-crested Lark, Thekla Crested-Lark, Thekla Lark, Thekla’s Lark
Spanish: Cagujada Montesina, Cogujada montesina
Estonian: kivi-tuttlõoke
Basque: Cogullada fosca , Kutturlio mokolaburra
Finnish: Kivikkokiuru, kivikkotöyhtökiuru
French: Alouette de Thékla, Cochevis de Thékla
Galician: Cogullada fosca , Cotovía montesa
Icelandic: Kamblævirki
Italian: Capellaccia di Tekla, Cappellaccia di Thekla, Cappellaccia spagnola, Cappellacia di Thekla
Japanese: kobashikammurihibari, kobashikanmurihibari
Latin: Galerida malabarica theklae, Galerida theklae
Lithuanian: Vakarinis vieversys
Dutch: Thekla leeuwerik, Theklaleeuwerik, Thekla-leeuwerik
Norwegian: Iberiatopplerke, Krattopplerke
Polish: dzierlatka iberyjska
Portuguese: cotovia montesina, Cotovia-montesina
Slovak: pipíška vavrínová
Slovenian: španski škrjanec, španski šrkjanec
Swedish: Lagerlärka
Swahili: Kipozamataza wa Thekla

 

 

Travel Birdwatching Holiday Alentejo, Vacation Portugal for birders guided Birdwatching Tours and Trips.

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