Shorelark
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Eremophila alpestris
Rare Winter Visitors with about 75 per year in Britain, mainly on the east coast & 25 records for Ireland from October-April.
Breeds in Scandinavia & North Africa.
They are a distinctive-looking species on the ground, mainly brown-grey above and pale below, with a striking black and yellow face pattern.
Except for the central feathers, the tail is mostly black, contrasting with the paler body; this contrast is especially noticeable when the bird is in flight.
The summer male has black "horns", two tufts of feathers on its head.
The call is high-pitched, lisping or tinkling, and weak.
The song, given in flight as is common among larks, consists of a few chips followed by a warbling, ascending trill.