Algerian chick (1 Viewer)

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Dec 27, 2009

• #1

Hi all,

I'm lost when we need isolated chick identification.

This photo was taken in a desert border, not far from Tunisia...

http://www.valeryschollaert.com/ind...mlaboard&Itemid=175&func=view&id=2090&catid=2

Something like a lark? But is the species identifiable?

Thanks for helping!

 

J

Jose Gomez Aparicio

Well-known member

• Dec 27, 2009

• #2

Hi

Upper parts are very like Crested Lark juveniles that I see in Spain, so I think It could be Galerida cristata.

Best

Jose

 

phil baber

Clipped Wing

• Dec 27, 2009

• #3

IMO this is a Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris). The facial pattern and pattern on the mantle is very reminiscent of that species' young.

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Dec 28, 2009

• #4

Hi,

thanks for helping. I guess in desertic Algeria it is more Temmick's Horned Lark (Eremophila bilopha) than Horned Lark... but this is just based on range.

Any more opinion?

Cheers

 

jogresh

Bimble and patch

• Dec 28, 2009

• #5

Face pattern almost looks better for Hoopoe Lark?

 

C

CAU

Well-known member

• Dec 28, 2009

• #6

Juvenile Horned Larks are much darker (and the species doesn't occur in Algeria):
http://www.lintukuva.fi/lajikuvat/kuvahtml/5erealp026.html

A juvenile Temminck's Horned Lark would look completely different (check for example the picture in the Collins guide).

Juvenile Crested, Thekla, Short-toed and Lesser Short-toed Larks are quite similar to the subject bird, and difficult to separate from each other.

Crested:
http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/299_CrestedLarkGcristata.pdf
Thekla:
http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/300_TheklaLarkGtheklae.pdf
Short-toed:
http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/297_ShortToedLarkCbrachydactyla.pdf
Lesser Short-toed:
http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/298_LesserShortToedLarkCrufescens.pdf

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Dec 28, 2009

• #7

Thanks Cau!