Quantcast

Western Meadowlark

Sturnella neglectaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)
Western Meadowlark Head Illustration_2

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger, All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Brown.
  • Head Pattern: Eyeline, Capped, Striped, Streaked
  • Crown Color: Brown and buff striped.
  • Forehead Color: Brown and buff striped.
  • Nape Color: Brown and buff striped.
  • Throat Color: Yellow
  • Cere color: No Data
Western Meadowlark Body Illustration_2

Body

  • Length Range: 23-28 cm (9-11 in)
  • Weight: 113 g (4 oz)
  • Size: Medium (9 - 16 in)
  • Color Primary: Brown, Yellow
  • Underparts: Yellow with broad black V on breast and black spotted buff flanks.
  • Upperparts: Brown streaked with buff and black.
  • Back Pattern: Striped or streaked, Mottled
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
No Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Flies low., Rapid shallow stiff wing beats followed by short glide.
  • Wingspan Range: 34-43 cm (13.5-17 in)
  • Wing Shape: Rounded-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Fan-shaped Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Barred
  • Upper Tail: Brown with black barring and white outer feathers.
  • Under Tail: Brown with black barring and white outer feathers.
  • Leg Color: Pink
.
Bird database and its related content, illustrations and media is Copyright © 2002 - 2007  Whatbird.com
All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be reproduced without written permission from Mitch Waite Group.
 Privacy Policy.
Percevia® Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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