Mediterranean Short-toed Lark
Calandrella rufescens
Silhouette: Gossipguy and T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyAlaudidae (Larks)
- GenusCalandrella (Calandrella Short-toed Larks)
- SpeciesCalandrella rufescens (Mediterranean Short-toed Lark)
About the Mediterranean Short-toed Lark
The Mediterranean short-toed lark (Alaudala rufescens) is a small passerine bird found in and around the Mediterranean Basin. It is a common bird with a very wide range from Canary Islands north to the Iberian Peninsula and east throughout North Africa to parts of the Middle East. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Its range was also previously thought to include parts of Central Asia, and with the Mediterranean and Central Asian clades combined the species was referred to as the lesser short-toed lark. However, a 2020 study split these two populations into distinct species, with A. rufescens being the Mediterranean clade and A. heinei being the Central Asian clade. Confusingly, Hume's short-toed lark is also sometimes called the lesser short-toed lark.
The Mediterranean short-toed lark was originally described as belonging to the genus Alauda. The genus name Alaudala is a diminutive of Alauda, and the specific rufescens is Latin for "reddish", from rufus "red". Alternate names for the lesser short-toed lark include the common short-toed lark, grey lark, rufous short-toed lark... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Mediterranean Short-toed Lark in Doñana National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Doñana National Park
Greater Short-toed Lark
Calandrella brachydactyla
Crested Lark
Galerida cristata
Calandra Lark
Melanocorypha calandra
Skylark
Alauda arvensis
Thekla Lark
Galerida theklae
Woodlark
Lullula arborea
Spotless Starling
Sturnus unicolor
European Stonechat
Saxicola rubicola
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cetti
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Eurasian Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Sardinian Warbler
Curruca melanocephala
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doñana National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 2 | Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park | 🇲🇳 Mongolia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Mediterranean Short-toed Lark in Doñana National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Mediterranean Short-toed Lark sighting in Doñana National Park, based on 391 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Mediterranean Short-toed Lark in Doñana National Park?
July has the highest sighting rate for Mediterranean Short-toed Lark in Doñana National Park in our monthly data.