Thekla Lark

Thekla Lark

Galerida theklae

Also known as: Thekla's Lark, Thla

Predict Sightings

About This Species

Favours dry, stony scrubland and open plains with scattered low vegetation across Iberia and North Africa, often perching on a rock, fence post or bush to sing. Told apart from the similar Crested Lark by its shorter, straighter bill and more musical, fluty song, usually given in a brief song-flight. Look for it year-round, most active and vocal in the early morning during the spring breeding season.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

  • A ground-nesting species that is easily flushed from its scrape, so keep well back from any bird showing agitation or repeated alarm calls and avoid walking through likely nesting scrub in spring.
  • Wild bird nests and eggs are legally protected across its European and North African range, though the specific rules and penalties differ by country, so check local guidance before approaching a nest site.
  • Viewing from a vehicle or at distance with binoculars is the least disruptive approach.
LCAvesPasseriformesAlaudidae

Seasonal Activity

175,049 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Alaudidae

Photo

Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

CC-BY-SA-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.