The species occupies various types of open, usually treeless, habitats – short-grass plains, pastures, fallow and stubble fields; there is sexual and seasonal change in habitat use (Collar, Garcia, 2020).
Species’ global range discontinuously extends from SW Europe and Morocco, C & E Europe, C Asia to SE Russia, Mongolia & NE China. Within Europe, population strongholds are located in the Iberian Peninsula (80%) & European Russia (Keller et al. 2020).
Unlike Asian populations (long-distance migrants), those in Europe are resident or short-distance migrants.
Its population trend in Europe is generally declining. Evaluated as “Vulnerable” (BirdLife International 2021).