Calandra lark

    Melanocorypha calandra

Castilian: Calandria común

Catalan: Calàndria

Gallego: Calandra real

Euskera: Kalandria

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Passeriformes

Family: Alaudidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

On the National List of Threatened Species, it appears in the “Of Special Interest” category. In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.

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THREATS

Lately it has found itself in decline due to the use of chemical products, the elimination of fallow land, the clearing of weeds and the planting of short-cycle grains, among other factors.

Length / size: 18-19 cm / 34-42 cm

Identification: Small lark with a robust appearance and a thick bill. Its back is brown and has dark stripes, and it has characteristic black spots on both sides of its neck. In flight the part beneath its dark wings with its white back edge is easily visible.

Song: Similar to that of the common lark, "chirrrr", but louder and more complex. It also does different imitations.

Diet: During breeding season, it feeds on invertebrates; in autumn and winter, leaves, shoots and seeds form the base of its diet.

Reproduction: It begins in April. It is a solitary and territorial species that installs its nest on the ground, among vegetation, and covers it with leaves and feathers. The female incubates, although the male can help, and both take care of the chicks.

HABITAT

A steppe species that occupies large plains with vast grain-producing farmland and, to a lesser extent, nature pastureland with a certain amount of plant cover.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It is widely distributed throughout the interior of the peninsula, especially in both Plateaus, the Ebro Valley, Extremadura and the Guadalquivir Valley.

In Castile and León: It is distributed throughout the pasturelands and desolate highlands in the community, but absent in the northwestern part and in mountain ranges. The largest populations are found in Valladolid and Salamanca.

Movements and migrations: Although it is a resident species, it forms large flocks that move to the south of the peninsula and northern Africa to spend winter. In September-October the autumn passage takes place and between February and March, the prenuptial passage.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 1-3.5 million breeding pairs (1997 data).

In Castile and León: