Scientific name: Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisler, 1814)
Bird group: Larks
Field characters. 14 cm. Smaller and lighter coloured than Common Skylark, without crest, but crown can give a pointed appearance. Plumage variable. Relatively large pointed bill, light broad supercilium, dark eye-stripe. Dark spots on sides of breast, like in Calandra Lark, but difficult to see in autumn and winter. Upperparts sandy-brown with dark streaks, sides of breast faintly streaked, underparts white. Tail with white outer tail feathers. Important difference with Lesser Short-toed Lark is the lack of primary projection, because the tertials completely cover the primaries; also bill larger, breast unstreaked or only faintly streaked (lightly streaked in Lesser Short-toed Lark), more striking head pattern with clearer supercilium, and dark spots on sides of breast. Found in pairs during breeding season, but on migration and in winter sometimes in huge flocks, often with other larks.
Voice. Song like Common Skylark, but imitates other species. Call in flight sometimes reminiscent of Chaffinch, 'chilp' or 'chuup', but also 'chirrup' like Skylark.
Distribution. Summer visitor. Common.
Habitat. Sandy and stony fields. In winter often on ploughed fields and stubble.
Food. Seeds and invertebrates. Feeds on the ground.