Turkestan Short-toed Lark
NameTurkestan Short-toed Lark
Common NameTurkestan Short-toed Lark
Scientific NameCalandrella heinei
FamilyAlaudidae
Wingspan (cm)30
Length (cm)15
Weight (g)23
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are sandy-brown with prominent dark streaking on the crown and back. Underparts are whitish, with faint streaking visible on the sides of the breast. It features a pale supercilium above a dark eye-stripe, and a short, conical, yellowish bill with a darker culmen. Legs are pale orange-brown, and the tail is dark with white outer tail feathers.
Vocalization / CallIts call is typically a short, dry 'chirrup' or 'prrrt'. The song, often delivered during a display flight, is a rapid, high-pitched, twittering series of notes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, desert
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across eastern Europe and Central Asia, including countries like Ukraine, southern Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, extending eastwards to parts of Mongolia and China. It winters in areas of the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and northeastern Africa.
Identifying FeaturesSmall size and streaky brown plumage, Pale supercilium, Short, conical, yellowish bill, Faint breast streaking, White outer tail feathers (visible in flight)
Description
The Turkestan Short-toed Lark is a small, ground-dwelling bird characterized by its streaky brown upperparts and pale underparts. It typically forages for food in open, arid environments, often blending seamlessly with the dry, stony ground.
