Scientific name: Melanocorypha calandra (Linnaeus, 1766)
Bird group: Larks
Field characters. 19 cm. Somewhat larger than Common Skylark, with large head and bill. Black underwings are very conspicuous in flight, giving impression of tiny Green Sandpiper. White trailing edge on wing contrasts with dark underwing, but also obvious from upperside. Has distinct supercilium and large black patches on sides of breast, although the latter may be hard to see, especially in autumn. Raised crown feathers suggest small crest. Outer tail feathers white. Remainder of upperparts brown, streaked dark and underparts white with only breast faintly streaked.
Voice. Characteristic call 'klitra', but sometimes similar to call of Common Skylark. Song, given in flight or from ground, admixed with characteristic call, but almost constantly imitating a variety of birds.
Distribution. Present all year. Common in south-western part of region, more rare in rest. Almost everywhere decreasing in number.
Habitat. Open dry steppe-like plains and saltmarshes. In winter often in enormous flocks, together with other species, feeding on arable fields.
Food. During breeding season mainly insects, in winter seeds and some green vegetable matter. Forages on the ground.