Calandra lark

The calandra lark or European calandra-lark breeds in warm temperate countries around the Mediterranean and eastwards through Turkey into northern Iran and southern Russia. It is replaced further east by its relative, the bimaculated lark.

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Distribution

Region

Mediterranean Basin and Western-Central Asia

Typical Environment

Breeds across warm temperate regions around the Mediterranean and east through the Balkans, Turkey, the Caucasus, northern Iran, and into southern Russia and the Pontic–Caspian steppes. It occupies open country such as cereal fields, pastures, steppe grasslands, and fallow lands, often avoiding dense scrub and forests. During winter, some populations move to milder lowlands and coastal plains. It also uses airfields and extensive agricultural plains where ground cover is short.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2000 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size17–20 cm

Wing Span30–36 cm

Male Weight0.05 kg

Female Weight0.045 kg

Life Expectancy7 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The Calandra Lark is one of the largest larks in Europe and is renowned for its powerful, melodious song, often delivered in a high display flight. It shows striking black underwing coverts and bold black patches on the sides of the neck, making it easier to identify than many other larks. It favors open farmland and steppe and has benefitted historically from traditional cereal agriculture but can decline with intensive practices. It is replaced further east by the closely related Bimaculated Lark.

Gallery

Eggs of Melanocorypha calandra MHNT

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

strong flier with buoyant display flights, showing black underwings and white wing panels

Social Behavior

Generally pairs during the breeding season, nesting on the ground in a shallow scrape concealed by vegetation. Outside the breeding period it forms loose flocks, often mixing with other larks on stubble and pastures. Territorial singing males perform aerial displays over open fields.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

A loud, rich, and varied cascade of trills and whistles, often including mimicry of other birds. Males sing persistently from perches or while circling high overhead during display flights.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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