Quantcast

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magnaOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Blackbirds and Orioles (Icteridae)

Breeding Location:

Grasslands



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

Pale pink with brown and lavender speckles



Number of Eggs:

3 - 7



Incubation Days:

13 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Dried grasses, pine needles, horsehair, and plant stems.



Migration:

Northern birds migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Eastern Meadowlark: Short ground-dwelling bird with buff- and black-streaked brown upperparts. Head has black-and-white striped crown, white face, black eyestripe and a pointed bill. Throat to belly is yellow, broad black V on breast. Brown tail has white edges and undertail coverts.

Range and Habitat

Eastern Meadowlark: Breeds from southeastern Canada through eastern U.S. west to Arizona; resident in the Bahamas and Mexico. Spends winters mostly within breeding range. Preferred habitats include pastures, meadows, grassy fields, prairies, open country, and country roadsides. Often seen singing from fence posts or utility wires.

Breeding and Nesting

Eastern Meadowlark: Three to seven pale pink eggs with brown and lavender spots are laid in a nest made of dried grass, pine needles, horsehair, and plant stems; nest is domed-shaped with a side entrance and built on the ground in a meadow, crop field, or weedy orchard. Incubation ranges from 13 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Eastern Meadowlark: Feeds mostly on insects and other invertebrates; also eats seeds and berries. Forages on the ground; finds food by gaping (forcibly opening bill) in soil or in plant stalks to expose hidden prey.

Vocalization

Eastern Meadowlark: Song is a whistling "see-you-see-yer" or "spring is here" which it sings while perched on a fence post, tree, pole, or on the ground. Also utters harsh alarming notes to proclaim territory.

Similar Species

Eastern Meadowlark: Western Meadowlark is duller, has yellow throat extending slightly farther onto face, and different voice.

.
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 magna
Length9 - 11 Inches
Wingspan15.25 Inches

Eastern Meadowlark

Eastern Meadowlark: Short ground-dwelling bird with buff- and black-streaked brown upperparts. Head has black-and-white striped crown, white face, black eyestripe and a pointed bill. Throat to belly is yellow, broad black V on breast. Brown tail has white edges and undertail coverts.

● Song: "see-you-see-yer", "spring is here"

● Foraging & Feeding: Eastern Meadowlark: Feeds mostly on insects and other invertebrates; also eats seeds and berries. Forages on the ground; finds food by gaping (forcibly opening bill) in soil or in plant stalks to expose hidden prey.

● Breeding & nesting: Eastern Meadowlark: Three to seven pale pink eggs with brown and lavender spots are laid in a nest made of dried grass, pine needles, horsehair, and plant stems; nest is domed-shaped with a side entrance and built on the ground in a meadow, crop field, or weedy orchard. Incubation ranges from 13 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Eastern Meadowlark: Western Meadowlark is duller, has yellow throat extending slightly farther onto face, and different voice.

Flight Pattern

Several rapid wing beats followed by a glide.
Eastern Meadowlark Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Eastern Meadowlark: Breeds from southeastern Canada through eastern U.S. west to Arizona; resident in the Bahamas and Mexico. Spends winters mostly within breeding range. Preferred habitats include pastures, meadows, grassy fields, prairies, open country, and country roadsides. Often seen singing from fence posts or utility wires.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
Population
MigrationNorthern birds migrate
Weight3.6 Ounces