Crested Lark

The Crested Lark is easy to recognise by its pointed crest, which it can raise or lower as it wishes. This medium-sized bird has warm brown feathers with darker streaks on its back and pale underparts with fine streaks on its chest. When flying, notice its relatively short tail with light-coloured edges and rounded wings. Its strong, slightly curved beak is well suited to its mixed diet of seeds and small creatures like insects. The Crested Lark is found across much of mainland Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It does not usually breed in the British Isles, although a few rare visitors sometimes turn up. It prefers open areas with bare ground, such as farmland, field edges, roadsides, and wasteland. The bird is often seen walking on the ground instead of hopping. It tends to stay in the same area throughout the year.