Short-toed Lark

Scientific Name: Calandrella brachydactyla
Maltese Name: Bilbla
Family: Larks (Alaudidae)
Occurence: Common
Breeds in Malta: Yes

Overview:
The Short-toed Lark is the palest, with least-marked under parts of any regular European lark. It has a dark cap, poorly marked cheeks, a dark patch on its neck and brown upperparts. It also has a pale strip over eye. It takes insects and seeds from the ground. It is rather dull and unobtrusive but it is best located and identified by its beautiful song. It makes a shallow nest on the ground where it lays 3 to 5 eggs. The Short-toed Lark is a bird of open plains and warm climate. Is very similar to the Lesser Short toed Lark but it has a different call and a streaked breast. In Europe it breeds around the Mediterranean Sea and also the Black Sea and in autumn they gather in small flocks to migrate to Africa.

Status:
Recorded in spring and summer. It is a regular breeder in Gozo while in Malta it is more localized, but still present in central areas and on west coast. It also breeds on the island of Comino. It has declined in recent years especially in Malta, where it is absent in areas where it was known to breed in the past. Main reasons are due to change in agricultural practices and urbanization. Predation of eggs and chicks by rats and Western Whip Snakes is also a factor to keep in mind.

When to See:
The Short-toed Lark first arrives in March and remains until October.

Where to See:
Prefers open garrigue areas and farmland. It breeds in abandoned fields, garrigue, and used fields and also at the International Airport, as it is the largest tract of open land in the Maltese Islands. It is often heard singing from high above drifting up and down with every phrase it sings. In Malta, a good site is Dwejra and Xaghra il-Hamra while in Gozo, Ta'Cenc is a good site.

Photographs:

Adult Short Toed Lark, Majjistral Natural Park


Short-toed Lark nest with eggs, 11th May 1980, Comino	Short-toed Lark nest with egss, June 2003, Ta' Cenc

Adult Short-toed Lark on nest, 29th May 2009, MIA


Short-toed Lark nest with young, 24th June 1985, Ta' Qali	Short-toed Lark nest with pulli, 24th June 1981, L-Ahrax

Short-toed Lark nest with pulli, 3rd June 2009, MIA

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