Greater Short-toed Lark

The greater short-toed lark is a small, pale lark, smaller than the skylark. It is dark-streaked greyish-brown above and white below, with a strong pointed bill that is pinkish with a grey culmen, a pale supercilium, dark patches on each side of the neck and a dark tail. Some birds in the west of the range have a rufous crown. It is paler than the Mongolian short-toed lark, which also has a shorter bill. Several subspecies have been named, but there is considerable gene flow and the species forms part of a larger complex. (Wikipedia, general species account)

It breeds in southern Europe, northwest Africa and across the Palearctic from Turkey and southern Russia to Mongolia. Eight subspecies are recognised, including forms in southern Europe and the Mediterranean islands, Hungary and northern Serbia, northern Africa, and from southern Turkey and Syria to northeastern Egypt. During migration and in winter the birds form large, tight flocks that move in unison; at other times they form loose flocks. (Wikipedia, general species account)