Crested Lark

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Crested Lark
Latin: Galerida cristata
Other: Cochevis huppé
Family: Alaudidae • Larks

Photo: monacoeye • Romania • May 2009

The Crested Lark is not only a slightly comical looking bird but it seems to like nothing better than to dodge the wheels of fast moving traffic on hot European roads.

I stopped my car to take a picture of this one in Romania and observed it for a while playing chicken with oncoming traffic. It doesn't fly very much, preferring to run across the road with those long legs.

Although they're completely unrelated, it's hard not to think "roadrunner" when you see one of these.