Greater Short-toed Lark

  • Greater Short-toed Lark (Migrating flock in autumn)
    Greater Short-toed Lark (Migrating flock in autumn) (Mike Pope)
  • Greater Short-toed Lark
    Greater Short-toed Lark (Mike Pope)
  • Greater Short-toed Lark
    Greater Short-toed Lark (Mike Pope)
Greater Short-toed Lark (Migrating flock in autumn)
Greater Short-toed Lark
Greater Short-toed Lark
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Calandrella brachydactyla
Arabic Name 
القبرة قصيرة الإصبع الكبيرة
Kuwaiti name 
نقر
Family 
Larks
Length 
14.0 cm
Least Concern
Similar species 
Lesser Short-toed Lark

In Kuwait

Winter
Migrant
Summer
Frequent
Common breeder

Information

Abundant passage migrant; common summer and winter visitor; breeds in Kuwait. This is a lark of the steppes and dry agricultural areas. In Kuwait it is usually seen migrating in flocks; up to 3000 counted in mid March 2000.
Where in Kuwait 
It is often found in flocks in desert areas of open sand or stone, as well as in dry mud-flats and irrigated fields with sparse, low vegetation cover
In the world 
It has an extremely large range with a declining population and is found throughout northwest Africa and southern Europe, stretching east to Mongolia and China. The southern subspecies are only partially migratory, while subspecies further north always migrate between breeding and wintering areas. Mostly terrestrial bird which possesses cryptic plumage that helps it blend into its habitat. When flying, it sweeps over the ground in bold rising and falling movement
Local threats 
Loss and degradation of habitat