Algarve Lark (1 Viewer)

[ndsutcliffe]

Taken at Vale Santo, near Cape St. Vincent two days ago. Thekla's Lark is by far the most common lark there - but Crested Larks seem to be very rare in this particular location. This one looks like Crested to me - longer bill with a straight lower mandible. But as it is unusual, am posting for confirmation

 

[lou salomon]

looks good for Crested Lark indeed.

 

[jogresh]

With those rust-coloured upper tail coverts, I'd think a Thekla.

 

[Butty]

rust-coloured upper tail coverts

But you can see rump-feathers as well, adjacent, and both tracts are the same warm buff (doubtfully rusty) - in my opinion. Whereas the Thekla lark feature is, apparently, for uppertail-coverts and rump to be contrasting.

 

[ndsutcliffe]

Not sure if these show anything much different, other than the bill is closed.

 

[lou salomon]

Always better with their bills closed in these . And it doesn't look that long-billed anymore, lower mandible looks straight, so might be a theklae in the end.

 

[ndsutcliffe]

The reason I posted the first pic was that it was more side on. The second two, have the face tilted away somewhat, which would make the bill appear shorter.
Given the location, I would expect Thekla. My reason for putting it up, was that in the field it seemed to exhibit a more crested feel - the bill was the main thing, but also strong crest, less clear chest streaks, and less contrast in the colours on the face.