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Crested Lark

Galerida cristata

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Larks
Crested Lark, photographed by Mihailo Jovicevic

Photo: Mihailo Jovicevic · Pexels · Pexels License (licence)

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Call and song

About the Crested Lark

Medium sized lark with a prominent crest. Separated from the more range-restricted Thekla's Lark by longer bill with straight lower mandible and usually longer and spikier crest. Lots of variation in plumage color, which matches local soil types, but usually grayer and darker than Eurasian Skylark. Short tail and rust-tinged underwings obvious in flight. Found in dry areas with scarce vegetation, especially agricultural land and at roadsides. Song is an often magnificently long and highly impressive series of varied jumbled twitters, trills, warbles, and slurred notes. Often gives a plaintive “ch’wee.”

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 96 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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