Calandra Lark

The Calandra Lark, Melanocorypha calandra, is a robust avian species, stretching 17.5 to 20 cm in length. Its plumage is rather unremarkable when at rest, with a predominant streaking of greyish brown above and a white underbelly. Notably, it features large black patches on the sides of its breast and a distinctive white supercilium.

Identification Tips

When observed in flight, the Calandra Lark reveals short, broad wings that appear dark from below, and a short tail edged in white. These wing and tail patterns serve as key identifiers, distinguishing it from its easterly relatives.

Habitat

This species favors open landscapes for its habitat, ranging from steppes and pastures to extensive dry cereal fields and true steppe with dense grass coverage.

Distribution

The Calandra Lark breeds in warm temperate regions around the Mediterranean, extending eastward through Turkey to northern Iran and southern Russia. Its range overlaps with the bimaculated lark in the east.

Behaviour

The Calandra Lark is predominantly sedentary in the western part of its range, while those in Russia exhibit migratory behavior, moving southward in winter as far as the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt. It is a sociable bird outside of the breeding season, often forming large flocks.

Song & Calls

Its song is reminiscent of the skylark's, albeit performed at a slower tempo, and is so melodious that it was once a favored cagebird.

Breeding

The species is monogamous, with breeding occurring from early April to July. Nests are crafted from grass stems and small leaves, lined with softer materials, and placed in shallow depressions on the ground, often under a tussock. Clutch sizes typically range from three to six eggs.

Similar Species

The Calandra Lark can be confused with the bimaculated lark, which is sometimes also referred to as the calandra lark.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Calandra Lark is seasonal, consisting mainly of insects in the summer and seeds and grass shoots in the winter.

Conservation status

The Calandra Lark is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face any immediate threat of extinction.