# Crested Lark (*Galerida cristata*) The Crested Lark is a cheerful bird with a lovely crest on its head. It loves to sing and can often be seen hopping around in fields and grasslands, making it a delightful sight! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Crested Lark](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Galerida_cristata_-_Crested_lark_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galerida_cristata_-_Crested_lark_01.jpg) ## Appearance The Crested Lark is a medium-sized bird with sandy-brown, streaky plumage. It has a distinctive, spiky crest on its head that can be raised, setting it apart from many other ground-dwelling larks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Alaudidae - **Genus:** Galerida ## Interesting facts - A Crested Lark's song is often delivered during an impressive, spiraling display flight! - Crested Larks build their cup-shaped nests directly on the ground, often hidden under a plant. - Their crest isn't just for looks; it can be raised or lowered to show how the bird is feeling. - These birds love to run more than fly, speeding across open areas with quick, powerful steps! ## Special abilities - **Ground Camouflage:** Crested Larks have streaky brown feathers that help them blend perfectly into their dry, open surroundings, making them hard to spot. - **Creative Songster:** Crested Larks can mimic other bird calls and incorporate them into their complex songs, helping them attract mates and mark territory. - **Hardy Forager:** Crested Larks have strong legs and a stout bill that help them efficiently forage for food by running and digging in tough ground. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 17-19 cm - **Wingspan:** 29-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.037-0.055 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-9 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 11-13 days ## Diet & Feeding This bird enjoys a mix of tiny insects and various seeds found by foraging on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, grasshoppers, seeds, grains, young shoots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) — Often preys on adult and young Crested Larks. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — A common predator of ground-nesting larks and their eggs. - **Eats:** [Wheat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wheat) (*Triticum aestivum*) — Eats seeds from this common crop, especially during winter. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Forages on these and other insects, especially when feeding young. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Crested Lark? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Crested Lark? 17-19 cm ### What is Crested Lark's wingspan? 29-38 cm ### How much does Crested Lark weigh? 0.037-0.055 kg ### How long does Crested Lark live? 2-9 years ### How fast can Crested Lark move? 45 km/h ### What does Crested Lark eat? This bird enjoys a mix of tiny insects and various seeds found by foraging on the ground. ### Where is Crested Lark usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Barrancos de Gebas Protected Landscape](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrancos-de-gebas-protected-landscape) — Mainland, ES · Park - [Tabernas Desert Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tabernas-desert-natural-area) — Mainland, ES · Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Crested Lark: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crested-lark)