Thekla's Lark

Galerida theklae

Least ConcernUncommonInvertebratesShrublandScrapeSmall · 38 g

About the Thekla's Lark

Thekla's lark, also known as the Thekla lark, is a species of lark that breeds on the Iberian Peninsula and in North and East Africa south to Kenya. 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, which comes from ancient Greek Θεόκλεια (Theokleia) derived from θεός and κλέος. The population is declining in parts of 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…

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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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.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Thekla's Lark sounds like

Recording: Joost van Bruggen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Crested Lark vs Thekla's Lark · Thekla's Lark vs Woodlark

Learn the Thekla's Lark for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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