Mediterranean Short-toed Lark
A species of Greater Short-toed Larks and Allies Scientific name : Alaudala rufescens Genus : Greater Short-toed Larks and Allies
Mediterranean Short-toed Lark, A species of Greater Short-toed Larks and Allies
Botanical name: Alaudala rufescens
Genus: Greater Short-toed Larks and Allies
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Ashwin Viswanathan 
Description
The Mediterranean short-toed lark is similar in size and appearance to the greater short-toed lark but is generally a duller-looking bird with a more streaked breast. It grows to a length of from 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) and the sexes are similar. As with the greater short-toed lark, the colour varies across the broad range and is not a good distinguishing feature. It is dark-streaked greyish-brown above, and white below. It has a pale supercilium, and a short stubby bill. Care must be taken to distinguish this species from the Calandrella larks. This species lacks the dark neck patches of the greater, and has fine streaking across the breast. The bill and head shape also differ, this species having a shorter, less-conical bill and a more-rounded, smaller head. The song is richer, more varied and imitative than that of its relative. 
Size
14 cm
Nest Placement
Ground
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
This is a bird of dry open country, preferring even drier and barer soils than the greater short-toed lark. It nests on the ground, laying two or three eggs. Its food is seeds and insects, the latter especially in the breeding season.
Distribution Area
The Mediterranean short-toed lark breeds in Spain, north Africa, also including Turkey eastwards across the semi-deserts of central Asia to Mongolia and China. Many populations, including the Spanish and African breeders, are sedentary (non-migratory), but some Asian birds from the north of the breeding range migrate south in winter. This species is a very rare wanderer to northern and western Europe.
Photo By Ashwin Viswanathan 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Larks Species
Mediterranean Short-toed Lark 
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