FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is a bird recognized as the bulkiest of all four subspecies. Temperate climates characterize their wide distribution. The calandra lark range is in Europe, Afghanistan, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Africa, and some European countries. This bird is a resident of North Africa and Europe. During the breeding season, some movement can be seen. This bird eats shoots, seeds during winter, and insects during summer, i.e. during the breeding season. Russian calandra larks are found to be more migratory. During breeding, they nest near vegetation, and it is made up of dry grasses, stems, or straw. This bird is placed under the Least Concern status. They have attractive features like their song and gorgeous wings. During the breeding season, some movement can be seen. It is renowned for its flight song. Birds of this species can mimic the songs of other species of birds.
If you enjoy reading about Calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra), do check out interesting facts about the Western meadowlark and Eastern meadowlark.
The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is a type of bird from the Alaudidae of the larks. This bird is the bulkiest species of this order family. Their distribution is found in Europe, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Africa as well.
They belong to the bird species and are from the class Aves.
Worldwide, 45 million calandra larks have been estimated.
The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is found in grasslands and pastures. Open fields and dry farmlands are preferred. They mostly inhabit fallows, long-fallows, and field edges, but can also be found on fields that have already been sown, selecting unirrigated legume and barley fields. Their migration is towards the south and that is also during the winter season.
Melanocorypha calandra lives in temperate European countries like Spain, France, the east of the Russian continent, and northwest Kazakhstan, and range from Mediterranean islands to northwest Africa, in some parts of Turkey, and in northwest Iran. This bird is a resident of S and E of Europe. The Russian population of these birds is more migratory during winters.
In winter and autumn, calandra larks form a large flock.
This bird has a lifespan of five years.
In this species, the female breeds solitary and the male breeds in loose colonies, but if the population is a big factor, they can nest together. Two broods are produced by this species each year. In the nest, a liner of grass is placed inside the interior, and the nest is made of dry grasses, grass stems, or straw. Late in April, the eggs are laid. Each female lays about four greenish eggs. Following incubation, they develop numerous dark brown or gray markings and become whitish. Incubation takes place in the female alone over a period of 12-14 days. After receiving both parent's feed the calandra lark nestling and it then fledges at 11-12 days of age. Their first flight occurs about 20 days after hatching when their feathers are fully developed.
The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) species are not extinct. Therefore, they are under Least Concern for IUCN conservation status.
Melanocorypha calandra is the most robust and plumpest species out of all four subspecies. It is about 0.1-0.2 lb (52-73 g) in length. Both sexes exhibit similar characteristics, but females have less noticeable black spots on their necks. The color of the eyes is brown. The grayish-brown upper parts of the adult male have dark streaks. It appears to be very dark when flying, almost black, regardless of the pale outlines of its back feathers. As well as the lower portions of the breasts and belly, the chin is white. A pale buffy brown streak covers the upper breast. During the flight, white spots can be seen on the feathers of primary and secondary feathers, contrasted against the dark plumage. There is an upper jaw that is darker, and the bill is conical and down-curved. A yellow color covers the lower jaw. They have a yellowish-brown color to their legs and feet. With the two outer rectrices mostly white, the short tail is mostly blackish-brown. A black spot is located near the bottom of the neck on the neck side. The juvenile's breasts are paler and have fewer marks of dark pigmentation than the adult's.
The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is definitely very cute because of its chubby size and mesmerizing song. It also has beautiful colored wings that look gorgeous during flight.
Melanocorypha calandra have a sharp tink in their chirp. When they flock together, these vocal signals are used to attract mates, deter enemies, and warn others in their group. In general, this bird species communicate by body postures and positions to communicate with other members of their order family. As soon as they become alarmed, they crouch briefly before taking off immediately. The calandra lark sings throughout the air as it rises by spinning in circles. When it reaches some height, it takes flight in circles over the territory for several minutes, then descends to around 262.5-328 ft (80-100 m), and then dives into the ground. It chases intruders as it flies in its territories.
The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is 6.9-7.9 in ( 17.5–20 cm) in length. This bird is similar to Skylark and Short-toed lark in size.
The Melanocorypha calandra flies at the speed of 22.1 mph (35.6 kph). They usually fly strongly and undulating, periodically closing their wings. They have a characteristic flight pattern. In-flight, the bird performs slow, and deep wing beats on stiff wings and a closed tail while at flight and low at some heights.
The Melanocorypha calandra weighs almost 0.1-0.2 lb (52-73 g).
There is no specific name for male and female species. However, they are referred to as male or female calandra lark birds or sometimes by their scientific name as Melanocorypha calandra.
The baby calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is called a chick.
The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) eats seeds and shoots during the winter season. When breeding occurs, which is during the summer, grasshoppers, worms, small mollusks, caterpillars, and rhinoceros beetles are the insects that they feed on.
This species of bird is very friendly. They mostly live near the residents and locals of their habitat, while their distribution is widely in the Russian and European areas.
This species of bird is usually not kept as a pet.
This species has four subspecies, namely, Western calandra lark, Eastern calandra lark, M. c. Gaza, and Levant calandra lark. Also, gray and cinnamon colors are prevalent in these species, as well as darker breasts spots. They all are found in Iran, Turkey, and Africa. Their distribution is in a few Russian regions as well.
The calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra) sounds similar to skylark but the version is slow. These birds have very loud, melodious songs that are sometimes punctuated with sharp tones that make them sound less strong and pleasant than expected. Their song is sometimes a mimicry of the songs of other species of birds. Their nasal chatter can be heard in the fields of corn or barley following harvest. As early as March, the males start singing loudly. The calandra lark's singing is a high-pitched trill and is part of the song flight.
Alauda was the original name for calandra lark. Melanocorypha uses melas, 'black,' and koruphos, words used by ancient authors for an unknown bird, but here used with korudia, 'lark.' Calandra is derived from the Ancient Greek kalandros. The species bimaculated lark is also known as the calandra lark.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our horned lark facts and lark sparrow facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable calandra lark coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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