Lark ID Morocco (1 Viewer)

[John Cantelo]

When I first saw this lark in late March just north of Agadir (Morocco) I assumed on colouration and markings that it was going to be a Crested. However, when approaching it to obtain closer views I was able to note that the bill's lower mandible seemed convex (obviously so in foreshortened photos where the bird was facing towards or away from me) and the uppertail coverts contrasted with the rump being distinctly more rustier. The habitat was anomalous and could fit either species but the bird persistently perched on and sand from small bushes. Since these points would make me confident that the bird was a Thekla's had I seen it in Spain I assumed that's what it was and what seemed anomalous (apparently longer than expected bill, warmer overall tone and relatively pale, fine chest streaks) could be put down to it belonging to the ruficolor race. However, close inspection of my photos back in the UK show that what appears to be the first primary (A) is distinctly shorter than the primary coverts (B) which is usually diagnostic for Crested! Comments welcome!

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

John, P1 can be shorter than PC in Thekla, ranging from 3<PC to 5>PC whereas in Crested always shorter (2-8<PC). I would suggest your bird may well fall within the overlap range.

Grahame

 

[skbirder]

John, I share your impression of Thekla for this bird. Wasn't aware, until doing a quick internet search just now, that outer primary length varies and can apparently overlap between the species, with Thekla able to show a first primary up to 3mm shorter than the primary coverts: http://gullsinlusitania.blogspot.com/2013/08/some-notes-on-thekla-and-crested-lark.html

Hope this helps?

 

[John Cantelo]

Good to hear from you Grahame - it's a long time since we last met and longer still since we first met (frighteningly, it must be nigh on 50 years). I'm grateful to you and Skbirder for the clarification as I was unaware that first primary length in the two sister species can overlap to such a degree (having been firmly told a few years back that this was never the case). It's good to know I was right after all although for one used to Andalucian birds this individual was certainly instructive.