Scientific name: Galerida theklae (Brehm, 1858)
Bird group: Larks
Field characters. 17 cm. Extremely difficult to separate from Crested Lark. General characters the same, but crest and bill slightly shorter and breast with rounded black spots rather than washed-out streaks. Thekla Lark usually also has a stronger facial pattern with slightly darker ear-coverts and usually a more contrasting rufous rump. Geographical variation makes identification complicated. Like Crested Lark never found in flocks.
Voice. Very similar to Crested Lark. Song, like in Crested Lark, given from perch or in flight.
Distribution. Locally common in south-west of region.
Habitat. Like Crested Lark, but more often found in rocky areas with scattered trees. Overlap in habitat occurs.
Food. Invertebrates and seeds, often found by turning over pebbles.