Calandrella brachydactyla
The Short-toed Lark is a small, compact bird with a streaked brown back and buff underparts. It has a distinctive pale supercilium and a short, stout bill. The breast is lightly streaked, and the tail has white outer feathers.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles showing a more scaly pattern on their upperparts. During the breeding season, adults may have a slightly more rufous tinge to their plumage.
Length
14cm to 17cm
Wingspan
27cm to 32cm
Weight
20g to 25g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Buff
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Short-toed Larks inhabit open, dry areas with sparse vegetation, including steppes, semi-deserts, and agricultural lands. They are found across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, with their range extending from Portugal to western China.
During winter, many populations migrate to sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. In the UK, they are rare vagrants, occasionally spotted during migration periods.
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Temperate, Mediterranean, Arid
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Short-toed Lark. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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