Bird Watching or Twitching in Andalucia Southern Spain

July 2004, Crested Lark, Galerida cristata

Crested Lark

This is one of those birds that is very common, particularly in our area where it is resident, but rarely identified because it is most often seen with its distinctive crest lowered. You are most likely to see this lark on the ground where it darts from place to place in short, fast, flights. It has broad wings and a very small tail. Periodically it will stop at a vantage point, like this one on a low rock, and go into its alert, have a look round stance when you will see the crest. Like all larks it has a melodious song.