Bird Guide

Malabar Lark vs Thekla's Lark

Malabar Lark (Galerida malabarica)

Malabar Lark

Galerida malabarica

Small38 gGrassland

This is a smallish lark, slightly smaller than the Eurasian skylark. It has a long spiky erectile crest. It is greyer than the skylark, and lacks the white wing and tail edges of that species, which is a winter visitor to India. It is very similar to the crested lark, which breeds in northern India. The Malabar lark is smaller and dark-streaked reddish brown in plumage, whereas the crested lark is grey. The belly is white. The sexes are similar.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Paulmathi Vinod · CC BY 4.0
Thekla's Lark (Galerida theklae)

Thekla's Lark

Galerida theklae

Small38 gShrubland

This is a smallish lark, slightly smaller than the Eurasian skylark. It has a long, spiky, erectile crest. Its colouring is similar to the widespread crested lark (G. cristata), being predominantly brownish-grey or brown, although its back and rump are greyer than that species. Its breast is streaked with black. It is smaller and somewhat greyer than the crested lark, and has a shorter bill. In flight, it shows grey underwings, whereas the crested lark has reddish underwings. It is also greyer than the Eurasian skylark, and lacks the white wing and tail edge of that species.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Thekla's Lark
Recorded by Joost van Bruggen · Song · El Condado (near Almonte), Huelva, Andalucía, Spain · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: antoterryn · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Malabar Lark and Thekla's Lark.