Lark ID - Mallorca (1 Viewer)

[greg_evans]

Hello all,

Comments as to the identity of this Lark would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Greg

 

[greg_evans]

Nobody face a poke at this?

Due to its location, Portocolom, Mallorca I am thinking that it is a Thekla as i'm not sure Crested ocuurs on Mallorca.

I'd just like to ID based on plumage rather than on a map. Any Lark-philes out there to suggest why it isn't a Crested based on plumage.

 

[Tanager]

Greg,

I would have said its a Crested Lark based on the bill shape - fairly longish bill and curved upper mandible. Both Crested and Thekla occur not sure how reliable plumage is as both can be variable I believe, But I haven't had too much experience with either.

Mark

 

[SueO]

Hi Greg,
I vote for Thekla. To me the bill looks short for Crested.
Sue

 

[apbarr]

Greg,

I would have said its a Crested Lark based on the bill shape - fairly longish bill and curved upper mandible. Both Crested and Thekla occur not sure how reliable plumage is as both can be variable I believe, But I haven't had too much experience with either.

Mark

I also thought that only Thekla occured on Mallorca but perhaps my recollection is wrong.

Just checked and on trip reports from Sunbird, Thekla is reported every year and Crested is absent from the list

 

[SueO]

Hi,
Thanks for pointing out the range out Alex. I never noticed until now that there doesn't seem to be purple color on the Balearics for range of Crested in the Collins guide. I also checked the internet and got this:
http://www.sunbirdtours.co.uk/brochure_2003/europe/spain/Mallorca05.htm
I think this must be what you referred to Alex. It covers the last 19 years! I wish I had paid more attention when I went through the Balerics. I don't have a Thekla.
Greg's photos are great and I was going by the jizz when I thought Thekla. I have seen Crested from Oman to Spain and Greg's bird just didn't look like a crested to me. If it can be determined that Crested are not on Mallorca the id of this bird will be much easier.
EDIT: Oh, I just re-read the thread and noticed your comment on plummage and range Greg. Sorry I'm not expert enough for great detail. I can onlyadd that to my eyes, the crest looks a little stubby for Crested and so does the bill.
Sue

 

[jamesevry]

To me, this bird looks exactly like the crested larks that I have seen on many occasions, and thats what I instantly thought when first looking at the bird. Consulting a field-guide, the shape of the crest and bill (including bills colour) all point towards crested... a balearic mega prehaps?

 

[Mike Montier]

Lovely photos! All angles covered which helps a lot. It is probably Thekla. Bill shape points to Thekla being slightly shorter, the plumage appears greyer,breast streaking more distinct as is the streaking to the back. Added to this there are thousands of Thekla larks here but I have never seen or heard of Crested being recorded. This should not sway us away from Crested but I think all things considered it is Thekla.

 

[SueO]

These are terrible photos compared to Greg's but here goes. Crested Larks from Turkey.

 

[Birdbox]

Relatively short bill and breast streaking as opposed to spotting give his up as Thekla Lark.

 

[greg_evans]

These are terrible photos compared to Greg's but here goes. Crested Larks from Turkey.

Thank you all for your comments, I have to admit that Larks aren't my specialist subject, are they anyone's?! My first reaction was Thekla, most probably because that was the species I had on my hit list for the day.

And Sue your photos of the Crested Lark are super and I think they do show a different bird to mine.

I've attached a closer look of the bill if that helps.

Cheers again.