The greater short-toed lark is a small passerine bird. The current scientific name is from Ancient Greek. The genus name, Calandrella, is a diminutive of kalandros, the calandra lark, and brachydactila is from brakhus, "short", and daktulos, "toe".
Region
Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia; winters in sub‑Saharan Africa and South Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds widely from the Mediterranean basin through the Middle East to Central Asia, favoring open, dry habitats. In winter it moves south to Sahelian Africa and the Indian subcontinent. It frequents steppe, semi-desert, fallow and ploughed fields, coastal dunes, and sparsely vegetated plains. The species avoids dense vegetation and prefers mosaic landscapes with bare patches for foraging.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small lark of open country takes its name from the relatively short hind toe and claw, reflected in the Greek brachydactyla. It performs buoyant song-flights over dry fields and steppe, delivering a fast, tinkling series of trills. Its sandy, streaked plumage provides excellent camouflage against bare soil and stony ground.
Temperament
wary and ground-dwelling
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, undulating flight; aerial song-flights
Social Behavior
Often forms small to large flocks outside the breeding season, especially on stubble or fallow fields. Breeds as dispersed pairs on the ground, placing a grass-lined nest in a shallow scrape sheltered by a clump. Both parents care for the young, and multiple broods may be attempted where conditions allow.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A rapid, tinkling series of trills and chirrs, often delivered during an ascending, circling song-flight. Calls include dry rattles and soft chirps used to keep contact within flocks.
Plumage
Sandy-brown upperparts with dark streaking; pale, lightly streaked breast and clean whitish belly; plain, uncrested head with subtle facial markings.
Diet
Feeds mainly on seeds of grasses and small herbs outside the breeding season. During breeding it takes a higher proportion of invertebrates, including beetles, ants, and grasshoppers to feed chicks. It picks items from the ground with quick, purposeful runs and pauses.
Preferred Environment
Bare or sparsely vegetated ground such as ploughed fields, field margins, steppe patches, and sandy flats. Often forages along paths, tire tracks, and disturbed soils where seeds and insects are exposed.
