Photo: Len Worthington / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Greater Short-toed Lark
Calandrella brachydactyla
Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 14 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) is a member of the Alaudidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 21.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Alaudidae Larks
- Genus Calandrella
- Species brachydactyla
Quick facts
- Weight
- 21.1 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Greater Short-toed Lark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Greater Short-toed Lark is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) belongs to the Alaudidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL c, s.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 21.1 g, with a wing length of about 9.4 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Greater Short-toed Lark?
The Greater Short-toed Lark is a small bird that weighs around 21.1 g.
Where does the Greater Short-toed Lark live?
The Greater Short-toed Lark is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL c, s, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Greater Short-toed Lark belong to?
The Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) belongs to the Alaudidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Greater Short-toed Lark eat?
The Greater Short-toed Lark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Greater Short-toed Lark migrate?
The Greater Short-toed Lark is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Greater Short-toed Lark endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Greater Short-toed Lark make?
1 real field recording of the Greater Short-toed Lark — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Greater Short-toed Lark's range?
The Greater Short-toed Lark has a mapped global range of about 9.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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