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Western Meadowlark

Sturnella neglectaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)

Western Meadowlark Portrait_2
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General

Western Meadowlark: Short, stocky, ground-dwelling bird with dark-streaked brown upperparts and bright yellow underparts with broad black V on breast. Crown is dark brown-and-white striped; face is white with dark eyestripes. Bill is sharply pointed. Tail is brown with white edges. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is paler with black spotting on underparts.

Range and Habitat

Western Meadowlark: Breeds from British Columbia, Manitoba, northern Michigan, and northwestern Ohio south to Missouri, central Texas, and northern Mexico; has spread eastward in recent years. Spends winters in much of its breeding range north to southern British Columbia, Utah, and Arkansas. Preferred habitats include meadows, plains, and prairies.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"shee-oo-e-lee shee-ee le-ee"

Interesting Facts

  • The Western Meadowlark was first described in 1844 by Audubon.
  • Although it looks nearly identical to the Eastern Meadowlark, the two species rarely hybridize. Mixed pairs usually occur only at the edge of the range where few mates are available.
  • A male usually has two mates at the same time. The females do all the incubation and brooding, and most of the feeding of the young.
  • A group of meadowlarks are collectively known as a "pod" of meadowlarks.


Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Range Map for Western Meadowlark
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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family
Species Sturnella neglecta
Length9 - 11 Inches
Wingspan15.25 Inches

Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlark: Short, stocky, ground-dwelling bird with dark-streaked brown upperparts and bright yellow underparts with broad black V on breast. Crown is dark brown-and-white striped; face is white with dark eyestripes. Bill is sharply pointed. Tail is brown with white edges. Forages on ground.

● Song: "shee-oo-e-lee shee-ee le-ee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Western Meadowlark: Eats mostly insects, spiders, and snails; also consumes seeds and vegetation. Usually forages for food while walking on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Western Meadowlark: Three to seven brown and lavender spotted, pale pink eggs are laid in a domed cup of grass and stems concealed in grass or weeds. Incubation ranges from 13 to 15 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Western Meadowlark: Eastern Meadowlark has a darker body and more white on outer tail feathers.

Flight Pattern

Flies low., Rapid shallow stiff wing beats followed by short glide.
Western Meadowlark Body Illustration_2
● Range & Habitat: Western Meadowlark: Breeds from British Columbia, Manitoba, northern Michigan, and northwestern Ohio south to Missouri, central Texas, and northern Mexico; has spread eastward in recent years. Spends winters in much of its breeding range north to southern British Columbia, Utah, and Arkansas. Preferred habitats include meadows, plains, and prairies.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationFairly common to common
MigrationNorthern birds migrate
Weight4 Ounces