1cy lark from southern Spain (1 Viewer)

[Liebzi]

Hi all,

An old photo of a 1cy lark from Donana in Southern Spain in July 2019. I have noted it down as a Medditerian Short-toed Lark, back in the days called Lesser Short-toed Lark. A friend of mine contacted me yesterday pointing out that this could be a Skylark after seeing the photo. I just feel primaries, tertials, bill, feathers of mantle and head fits Short-toed better, so don't fully agree with him. Feathers on top of head is rised a bit, but I remember it as pretty windy. This is the only picture I got of it!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this lark

best

Anton

 

[KenM]

To my eye the pp is too long for the other contenders, Skylark for me.👍

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

no confident answer and its a long time now that I visited Spain and S-France, but please note that the relevant larks have a considerable pp in their juvenile plumage (even if they are lacking it in adult plumage).

Please note,

• that quite a few 1cy Skylarks havent such a dark overall plumage (yes, within variation)
• despite still growing bill (and much subtle variation if looking at many Skylarks bill shape at close range), the bill is at the stubby and blunt tip end of variation
• I cant loose the feeling, that your bird is slightly too short rear-ended and short tailed for a Skylark
• I remember Lesser STL as real stubby billed birds, Linnet like

Conclusion? I hope for more comments from members how have much experience with juvenile Greater Short-toed Larks. Thanks!

 

[Muppit17]

I totally agree that to my eyes this has nothing going for it in respect of Lesser/Mediterranean ST Lark.

I had always thought that Skylarks was much plainer in the face pattern and had a rufous panel in the wing that this bird doesn't show. It immediately reminded me of Greater ST Lark and looking in Macauley seems to reinforce this as a good match