Western Meadowlark

Sturnella neglectaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)

Breeding Location:

Open landscapes, Grassland with scattered trees

Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester

Breeding Population:

Fairly common to common

Egg Color:

Pale pink with brown and lavender speckles

Number of Eggs:

3 - 7

Incubation Days:

13 - 15

Egg Incubator:

Female

Nest Material:

Dried grass and plant stems

Migration:

Northern birds migrate

Overview

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.

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.

Breeding and 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.

Foraging and Feeding

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

Vocalization

Western Meadowlark: Song is a rich, flute-like jumble of gurgling notes, usually descending the scale.

Similar Species

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

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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.

Western Meadowlark

● 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.

● 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

Field Guide to Birds of North America