The Spanish subspecies calandra lives in broad cereal plains and grasslands. It has brown, dark-streaked plumage and nests on the ground among grasses during the breeding season.
It is mainly brown, with dark streaks on the back. It has a large head, a thick bill and black patches on both sides of the neck.
Researchers studied Calandra Larks in open farmland in Alentejo, southern Portugal. In April and May of 2021 and 2022, they surveyed 150 points near transmission powerlines and recorded 41 bird species. A single observer recorded visual and acoustic detections during five-minute visits.
Calandra Larks appeared at 47.3% of the points and were recorded less often near powerlines, with the pattern extending to about one kilometre. Overall bird species richness did not vary with distance. The surveys covered five Special Protection Areas and nearby farmland, with points up to two kilometres from the lines. Among eight common species, only Calandra Larks and Little Bustards showed lower occurrence near powerlines.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
During breeding, Calandra Larks and Little Bustards were associated with fallow land and large open fields. The authors linked their lower occurrence near powerlines with the possibility that these structures add to farmland fragmentation.