Bird Guide

Bar-tailed Lark vs Desert Lark

Bar-tailed Lark (Ammomanes cinctura)

Bar-tailed Lark

Ammomanes cinctura

Small18 gDesert

The bar-tailed lark is similar to the desert lark in appearance, but at 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in), is slightly smaller, with a smaller, more domed head, a smaller beak, thinner legs and a shorter tail. The upper parts are sandy-buff washed with grey, while the underparts are whitish with little if any streaking, and the breast and flanks washed with buff. The rufous wings have dark trailing edges and the rufous tail has a terminal black band.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · cc-by
Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti)

Desert Lark

Ammomanes deserti

Small24 gDesert

The desert lark is a medium-sized, big-headed and long-billed lark, growing to a length of 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in). The sexes are alike, but there is considerable geographical variation. It has a rather dull plumage which can vary from quite pale to rather dark. Plumage may vary between subspecies but individuals within populations can be variable too. It is similar in appearance to the bar-tailed lark but is slightly larger, has a less-domed head, a larger broader beak, stouter legs and a longer tail.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · cc-by

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bar-tailed Lark and Desert Lark.