Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Thekla's Lark (Galerida theklae)
Thekla's Lark

Thekla's Lark

Galerida theklae

Thekla's lark, a modestly sized avian, is somewhat smaller than its cousin, the Eurasian skylark. It is distinguished by its long, spiky, and erectile crest. The plumage is predominantly a dark-streaked grey above and a paler whitish below, with both sexes appearing similar in their muted tones.

Identification Tips

When identifying Thekla's lark, look for its greyer appearance compared to the Eurasian skylark, as well as the absence of white on the wing and tail edges. The bird's smaller stature and shorter bill set it apart from the crested lark. In flight, one can discern its grey underwings, contrasting with the reddish underwings of the crested lark.

Habitat

This species favors the rugged terrain, where scrub and semi-arid grasslands intersperse with bare patches of earth, often at various altitudes.

Distribution

Thekla's lark graces a broad range, from the Iberian Peninsula across northern Africa to sub-Saharan regions, reaching from Senegal to Somalia. It is a sedentary bird, choosing not to migrate but to remain within its native lands.

Behaviour

Thekla's lark is a ground nester, laying a clutch of two to six eggs. Its diet consists of seeds and insects, with the latter being particularly important during the breeding season.

Song & Calls

The lark's song is a melodious and varied composition, incorporating mournful whistles and elements of mimicry. Softer and more tuneful than the crested lark's call, it can be heard from the ground, in flight, or perched visibly.

Breeding

Thekla's lark's breeding habits involve nesting on the ground, where it lays its eggs and feeds its young primarily on insects.

Similar Species

Thekla's lark can be confused with the crested lark, but careful observation of size, plumage, and underwing coloration during flight can aid in differentiation.

Diet and Feeding

A diet of weed seeds and insects sustains Thekla's lark, with a preference for the latter during the breeding season to provide for its offspring.

Conservation status

Despite a declining population in Spain, Thekla's lark is considered a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, thanks to its wide range and commonality.

Thekla's Lark Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Thekla's Larks on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Larks

A photo of a Greater Hoopoe-Lark (Alaemon alaudipes)

Greater Hoopoe-Lark

Alaemon alaudipes
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.