The Western Meadowlark is a medium-sized songbird found in grasslands across western North America. Here are three interesting facts about this iconic prairie bird:
Fact 1: Distinctive Appearance
The Western Meadowlark has a distinctive appearance that makes it easily recognizable. Adults have yellow underparts with a black “V” shaped band across the chest. Their heads are striped with black and yellow, and they have long pointed bills. The backs of Western Meadowlarks are brown with white bars on the wings and outer tail feathers. Males and females look similar, though females tend to be paler in color. Juveniles are more spotted and streaked overall.
Fact 2: Beautiful Song
The song of the Western Meadowlark is widely considered one of the most beautiful bird songs in North America. It is a flute-like whistle that starts with several clear notes followed by a more complex, warbled ending. The song is so melodious that the Western Meadowlark is sometimes called the “meadowlark of the West” or the “meadowlark of the prairies.” Males sing constantly from fence posts and other elevated perches on the prairie to mark their territories and attract females.
Fact 3: Declining Populations
Unfortunately, Western Meadowlark populations have been declining across much of their range since the mid-1960s. Widespread habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural intensification are major threats. For example, native grasslands have been converted to farmland across much of the American West, removing vital breeding habitat for meadowlarks. Continued population declines have resulted in the Western Meadowlark being designated as a Common Bird in Steep Decline by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative.
Description
The Western Meadowlark is a medium-sized blackbird, measuring approximately 18-24 cm (7-9 inches) in length with a wingspan of 30-36 cm (12-14 inches). It has a stocky body shape and short tail. The adult male has bright yellow underparts and a black V-shaped chestband. Its head is striped with yellow and black, with a white line above the eye. The crown of the head is black and the nape of the neck is yellow. The back and wings are brown with white bars. The outer tail feathers are white. Females are similar but paler overall with a grayer head and less distinct facial markings. Juveniles have streaked and spotted underparts.
In flight, the white outer tail feathers are conspicuous. Western Meadowlarks have long, pointed bills adapted for their insectivorous diet. Their strong legs are suited to life on the ground. Males and females have similar plumage, but males are slightly larger. Geographic variation exists with paler coloration in drier parts of their range.
Distribution
The Western Meadowlark has an extensive distribution across western North America. Its breeding range extends from southern British Columbia west of the Coast Mountains south through the western halves of Washington, Oregon and California. It also breeds in mountain areas of Nevada, Utah and Colorado as well as across the prairie regions. Its range covers large portions of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Small disjunct breeding populations occur in central Texas and in Mexico south to Baja California, Sonora and Chihuahua.
The species migrates in winter to southern regions of the western U.S. from California to Texas. Northern populations migrate further south to Mexico. The Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) occupies the closely related habitat in eastern North America.
Habitat
The Western Meadowlark inhabits open grasslands across much of its range. It occurs primarily in prairies, plains, meadows and valleys dominated by grasses and herbs. Hayfields, pastures and grasslands planted for forage on farms also provide suitable habitat. In winter, it uses similar open grassy areas including desert grasslands and agricultural fields.
The elimination of native prairie habitat throughout much of the meadowlark’s range is believed to be the primary cause of its population declines. It prefers areas with taller grasses and scattered shrubs for song perches. Wet meadows with moisture to support abundant insects are also favored.
Behavior
The Western Meadowlark is territorial and migratory. Males arrive at breeding grounds a few weeks ahead of females and establish breeding territories with vigorous singing. Their song is loud and melodic, described as the most beautiful song of any North American bird by some. Males sing constantly during the day and at dawn and dusk to indicate territory ownership. Territories range from 2-10 acres in size.
Females build nests on the ground concealed by vegetation. Nests are open cup-shaped structures made from grass and sometimes lined with softer material like deer fur. The female lays 3-6 eggs which she incubates for 13-16 days. Both parents feed nestlings. This species sometimes raises 2 broods per year.
Outside of breeding season, these birds gather in flocks to feed on seeds, berries and insects. Northern populations migrate south in winter while southern populations may wander locally. They forage on the ground in short vegetation and make short flights when disturbed.
Diet
The Western Meadowlark has a varied omnivorous diet. It feeds extensively on insects during the breeding season including beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants and other arthropods. It forages for insects walking along the ground through dense grass. Seeds and grains become a larger part of the diet in fall and winter. It also consumes berries and some plant material.
For feeding, this species prefers habitats with short, sparse vegetation and moist soil. Wet meadows provide optimal foraging habitat. Western Meadowlarks occasionally feed in crop fields, eating waste grain and insects.
Conservation Status
The Western Meadowlark has experienced significant population declines across its range since the 1960s. The Breeding Bird Survey estimates a 3.7% annual decline from 1966-2015 resulting in a cumulative decline of 78%. The estimated global breeding population is 32 million birds.
Habitat loss from urbanization and conversion of grasslands to agriculture are the major threats. Land management practices that remove native vegetation also degrade habitat. Collisions with vehicles and towers kill many birds during migration. The Western Meadowlark is still a widespread and common species but has been designated as a Common Bird in Steep Decline.
Fun Facts
- The scientific name Sturnella neglecta means “neglected little starling.” This references its lineage in the starling family and initially being overlooked as a distinct species.
- The Western Meadowlark has been designated the state bird of 6 U.S. states: Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, and Oregon.
- Fossil evidence shows that meadowlarks have existed in North America since the Pleistocene era.
- Western Meadowlarks help control insect pest populations on grasslands and farmlands.
- John James Audubon painted these birds inaccurately with all yellow underparts. He apparently never observed them directly in life.
Significance to Humans
The Western Meadowlark is highly valued for its beautiful song which brightens grassland landscapes across the American West. It also helps control agricultural insect pest populations. Unfortunately, habitat loss threatens this iconic prairie songbird. Conservation programs that protect native grasslands benefit Western Meadowlark populations.
Many states have made the Western Meadowlark their official state bird in recognition of its importance. It serves as a symbol of the prairies and grassland heritage. Meadowlarks are featured in the literature of western writers who extol their music.
Ranchers sometimes dislike meadowlarks for eating planted grass seeds. Their tendency to fly low across roads when flushed results in many birds being struck by vehicles. Collisions with towers also kill many migrating meadowlarks.
Comparison to Eastern Meadowlark
The Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) is a very closely related bird occupying similar habitat in eastern North America. The two were considered one species until the early 20th century. Here are some differences:
| Trait | Western Meadowlark | Eastern Meadowlark |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Western North America | Eastern North America |
| Underparts | Bright yellow | Paler yellow |
| Throat | Yellow | White |
| Crown | Black | Brown |
| Breast band | Thicker black | Thinner brown |
| Song | More flute-like | Harsher buzzing |
Conclusion
The Western Meadowlark is a distinctive songbird of western grasslands in North America. Some key facts include its recognizable appearance, flute-like song, declining populations, grassland habitat preference, diet of insects and seeds, and status as a symbol of the American West. This iconic prairie bird brightens the landscape with its morning song, while helping control pests and playing an important role in its ecosystem.
Conservation efforts focused on protecting and restoring native grasslands will benefit the meadowlark. Individuals can help by supporting prairie preservation programs, avoiding pesticide use, and driving carefully in rural areas. With a concerted effort, the magical song of the Western Meadowlark can continue to fill the air each spring across the western United States and Canada.
