Mallorca - Lark confirmation please (1 Viewer)

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• May 6, 2018

• #1

A friend sent me this, taken recently by his brother on Mallorca, asking for confirmation that this is a Crested Lark. I believe Thekla is also found on the island, but I have no recent experience of either species (been over 10 years since I've seen Thekla, 15 for Crested), but would reckon this to be Crested based on bill length mainly, but I am far from sure, and would appreciate any input from anyone more used to separating these species.

Many thanks

 

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JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• May 6, 2018

• #2

Just looked on Ebird, which has no records of Crested Lark on Mallorca at all, which would therefore presumably make this a Thekla. Initially I had looked on the Mallorca checklist on Avibase which includes Crested, with no qualifications on vagrancy etc, hence my impression both species were possible.

 

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• May 7, 2018

• #3

JWN Andrewes said:

...presumably make this a Thekla.

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Can I assume tacit assent?

 

ApusApus

Well-known member

• May 7, 2018

• #4

Well, it’s definitely not a Crested Lark if that helps!


Shane

 

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Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• May 7, 2018

• #5

If Crested does occur on Majorca it will only be as a rarity.

 

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• May 7, 2018

• #6

Steve Lister said:

If Crested does occur on Majorca it will only be as a rarity.

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Thanks for the info Steve

 

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Earnest lad

Well-known member

• May 7, 2018

• #7

I read somewhere the Crested Lark is more often on the ground whilst the Thekla Lark can be found more often on a bush or a wire or a fence

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• May 7, 2018

• #8

kasfig said:

I read somewhere the Crested Lark is more often on the ground whilst the Thekla Lark can be found more often on a bush or a wire or a fence

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I think that almost all, CL I have ever seen, have been on the ground, they seem to like car parks and road sides.



A

 

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aeshna5

Well-known member

• May 8, 2018

• #9

kasfig said:

I read somewhere the Crested Lark is more often on the ground whilst the Thekla Lark can be found more often on a bush or a wire or a fence

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I'm currently on Lesvos & though there are many Crested Larks on the ground here they are frequently on wires & fences too.

 

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Simon Wates

Well-known member

• May 8, 2018

• #10

aeshna5 said:

I'm currently on Lesvos & though there are many Crested Larks on the ground here they are frequently on wires & fences too.

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True indeed. Here in the Algarve we have plenty of both species. Thekla's use the ground most of the time and although admitedly perch quite frequently on bushes etc. they are most often seen on the ground. This behaviour trait is not an ID pointer IMO - at best a slight hint. Much better are field marks and calls/song. A field mark not often mentioned is the contrast of the rusty central feathers on Thekla's that is plain on Crested. Its a feature that is usually easily seen if looked for. Another feature, and a very good pointer I find, is shape - somehow Crested is a slightly longer bird whilst Thekla's is more chunky - even recalling a Woodlark, well at least in comparison to Crested. Like many similar species pairs they actually become fairly straightforward once you've got your eye in.