The official state bird of North Dakota is the western meadowlark. The western meadowlark was adopted as the official state bird of North Dakota in 1931. Some quick facts about the western meadowlark:
- Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
- Size: About 10 inches long
- Coloring: Yellow breast and black “V” shape on chest
- Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, meadows
- Diet: Insects, seeds
- Song: Flute-like song
The western meadowlark is a fairly common bird found throughout the grasslands of North Dakota. Its distinctive yellow-and-black coloring and lovely song make it a well-recognized and beloved bird in the state.
History of the Western Meadowlark as North Dakota’s State Bird
The western meadowlark has a long history and special meaning in North Dakota. Here are some key facts about how the meadowlark came to be honored as North Dakota’s official state symbol:
- North Dakota was the last remaining state without an official state bird until 1931.
- The meadowlark had been proposed and rejected multiple times in the early 1900s as North Dakota’s state bird.
- In 1930, a bill designating the meadowlark as the state bird passed the North Dakota House but failed in the Senate.
- Schoolchildren lobbying for the meadowlark may have helped influence legislators.
- In 1931, the North Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs and other women’s groups pushed for the meadowlark’s adoption.
- On March 5, 1931, the western meadowlark finally became North Dakota’s official state bird when Governor George F. Shafer signed the legislation.
So after several failed attempts over three decades, the familiar and beloved western meadowlark was finally granted state bird status in 1931 thanks to persistent support from state organizations and schoolchildren.
Reasons for Selection of the Western Meadowlark
So why was the western meadowlark chosen to represent North Dakota from among the many bird species found in the state? Here are some of the main reasons this particular songbird was selected:
- Its habitat closely matches North Dakota’s landscape. The meadowlark thrives in the open prairies, grasslands, and meadows found throughout North Dakota.
- It is a commonly seen and heard bird throughout the state. North Dakotans were already very familiar with the meadowlark’s appearance and songs.
- Its beautiful song is inspiring. The meadowlark’s flute-like warbling is widely appreciated.
- Its colors match the state wildflower. The meadowlark’s yellow matches the yellow of the wild prairie rose, North Dakota’s state flower.
- Its black “V” shape is distinctive. The meadowlark’s black V-shaped chest marking makes it easy to identify.
- It stays in-state year-round. Unlike some other songbirds, the meadowlark winters in North Dakota, meaning it is present year-round.
So in summary, the western meadowlark was selected based on its strong ties to North Dakota’s landscape, its familiarity and popularity with the people, its attractive appearance and song, and its year-round residency in the state. These characteristics made it a natural choice to represent North Dakota.
Year | Event |
---|---|
Early 1900s | Western meadowlark proposed and rejected multiple times as state bird |
1930 | Meadowlark state bird bill passed House but failed in Senate |
1931 | Women’s groups lobby for meadowlark adoption |
March 5, 1931 | Meadowlark becomes official state bird when bill signed into law |
Description and Characteristics of the Western Meadowlark
Now let’s discuss some more specific details about the western meadowlark’s physical appearance and characteristics:
- Size: Approximately 10 inches in length. Weighs about 3-5 ounces.
- Coloring:
- Bright yellow breast and belly.
- White outer tail feathers.
- Black “V” or crescent shape on upper chest.
- White stripes around eyes.
- Yellow and brown speckled back and wings.
- bill: Short, pointed bill.
- Legs and feet: Yellow legs and feet.
- Differences from eastern meadowlark:
- Darker yellow coloring
- More vivid and pronounced black “V” marking
- Male and female differences:
- Males have brighter colors and more distinctive markings.
- Females are duller in coloration.
The meadowlark’s vibrant yellow chest and belly, contrasted with the distinctive black V-shape, make it easily recognizable. Its relatively large size and song also help identify it. Compared to the closely related eastern meadowlark, the western species found in North Dakota can be identified by its darker yellow hue and bolder black V marking.
Habitat and Range
The western meadowlark inhabits open grasslands across much of western North America. Key details about its habitat and range:
- Breeding habitat:
- Native grasslands
- Prairies
- Hayfields
- Meadows
- Wintering habitat:
- Grasslands
- Agricultural areas
- Coastal marshes in southern range
- Range:
- Across western half of continental U.S.
- From central Canada to Mexico
- Most abundant in Great Plains grasslands
- Population in North Dakota:
- Common summer breeding resident.
- Winters in southern part of state.
Within its broad range across western North America, the meadowlark is most common and numerous in the prairie regions of the Great Plains, including North Dakota. It breeds across most of the state in summer and can be found wintering in southern North Dakota.
Diet and Foraging
The western meadowlark is an omnivorous bird with a diverse diet including insects, seeds, and fruit. Key aspects of its feeding habits:
- Diurnal forager – feeds during the day
- Opportunistic diet varies by season and habitat
- Spring diet:
- Insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars
- Some seeds
- Summer diet:
- More insects as they become abundant
- Seeds of grasses and weeds
- Fall and winter diet:
- Shifts to mainly seeds and waste grains
- Some fruit and berries
- Foraging methods:
- Walks on ground pecking at vegetation
- May scratch at soil
- Gleans seeds and insects from foliage
- Can catch insects in flight
The meadowlark’s diet and foraging behavior shifts with seasonal availability. Insects provide essential protein for breeding birds in spring and summer. Seeds from grasses and weeds become more important in fall and winter. It forages mostly on the ground, walking through vegetation and probing with its bill.
Reproduction and Nesting
One reason the western meadowlark thrives in North Dakota is that the state provides ideal grassland nesting habitat. Here are key facts about its reproduction and nesting:
- Nesting season: Late April through July
- Nests:
- Built on ground hidden in thick vegetation
- Dome-shaped with side entrance
- Constructed from grasses woven together
- Clutch size:
- 3-6 eggs per clutch
- White eggs with brown spotting
- Incubation: 10-16 days
- Fledging: 9-11 days after hatching
- Broods per season:
- 1-2 broods
- Occasionally 3 broods
Nesting on the ground helps conceal meadowlark nests in the dense prairie grasses but also makes eggs and young vulnerable. Building multiple nests and having more than one brood increases reproductive success. The nesting season lasts from late April through July with most activity in May and June.
Threats and Conservation Status
Although still common in North Dakota, the western meadowlark faces some concerning population declines across parts of its range due to habitat loss. Major threats and its conservation status include:
- Habitat loss:
- Conversion of native grasslands to farmland
- Development and urbanization
- Nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds
- Pesticides reducing food supply
- Climate change
- Conservation status:
- North Dakota – Common and secure
- Globally – Least concern but with declining populations
Preserving native prairies is crucial for maintaining western meadowlark populations. They are still thriving in North Dakota but face threats across parts of their range. Monitoring and conservation efforts are needed to ensure the meadowlark remains common well into the future.
Interesting Facts
Beyond the basics, there are some interesting facts and cultural significance worth highlighting about North Dakota’s state bird:
- State grassland songbird – It represents the prairie heritage.
- State’s largest songbird.
- Musical virtuoso – Has one of the most elaborate songs of any North American songbird with over 200 song variations.
- Mimics other bird songs – Can incorporate sounds of up to 20 other species into its songs.
- Famous poet – males sing constantly to attract mate. Walt Whitman wrote a poem praising the meadowlark’s song.
- Pairs may stay bonded for more than one breeding season.
- State University mascot – Called Thundar, combines the state bird and bison.
- Featured in state’s centennial song lyrics.
From its rich musical abilities to its ties to Walt Whitman poetry and North Dakota university mascots, the little meadowlark has some outsized significance. These types of facts reflect the meadowlark’s cultural importance within North Dakota beyond just being the state bird.
Conclusion
In summary, the western meadowlark was designated the official state bird of North Dakota in 1931 after many failed earlier proposals. This familiar songbird of the prairies was likely chosen because of its ubiquity and importance across the Great Plains grasslands, its recognizable appearance and melodious song, and its year-round residency in the state. The meadowlark reflects the landscapes of North Dakota and has become an emblem of the state’s heritage. Though it still thrives statewide, this species faces some concerning population declines in parts of its broader range. The western meadowlark remains a beloved bird symbol for the state of North Dakota.