Meadowlarks are songbirds found throughout North America in open grasslands and fields. There are two main species of meadowlark – the Eastern Meadowlark and the Western Meadowlark. Their ranges overlap in the Great Plains states.
Eastern Meadowlark
The Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) is found across eastern North America. Its range stretches west from the Atlantic Coast to the Great Plains. It is found in the following states:
- Maine
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Maryland
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Florida
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
- North Dakota
The Eastern Meadowlark prefers open grasslands such as pastures, hay fields, and prairies. It avoids dense or wooded areas. Its habitat has declined due to development and forests reclaiming fields. But it remains common over its wide range.
Western Meadowlark
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) lives in western North America. Its range extends east from the West Coast to the Great Plains. It is found in these states:
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
- Idaho
- Nevada
- Utah
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Colorado
- Wyoming
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
- Texas
The Western Meadowlark lives in open grasslands, fields, prairies, and desert scrublands. It forages on the ground for seeds and insects. Its melodic song is a quintessential part of prairie landscapes. It remains widespread despite declines in native grasslands.
Overlapping Ranges
The Eastern and Western Meadowlarks overlap across the Great Plains states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. In these states, they occupy suitable grassland habitats.
Great Plains States Where Both Species Live
| State | Eastern Meadowlark | Western Meadowlark |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes |
| Nebraska | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes |
| Texas | Yes | Yes |
In these states, birders can find both species if suitable habitat exists. The two meadowlarks partition resources in their breeding territories.
Rare Vagrants
Outside their normal ranges, meadowlarks occasionally show up as rare vagrant birds. For example, Eastern Meadowlarks are sometimes spotted along the West Coast after overshooting their migration routes. And Western Meadowlarks are occasionally seen in eastern states.
But these cases are rare and do not indicate established breeding populations. The ranges described earlier represent where meadowlarks reliably occur and breed during the summer months.
Conclusion
In summary, there are two species of meadowlarks in North America – the Eastern and Western Meadowlark. The Eastern Meadowlark lives across eastern North America from the Atlantic Coast to the Great Plains. The Western Meadowlark spans western North America from the West Coast to the Great Plains. Their breeding ranges overlap in the Great Plains states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Outside these core ranges, vagrant meadowlarks may appear but do not indicate regular breeding populations.
Meadowlarks require open grasslands to breed and survive. They forage on seeds, grains, and insects. Development, habitat loss, and forest regrowth have reduced their habitat in many areas. But both species remain common across wide ranges stretching over thousands of miles.
Looking for meadowlarks in the appropriate habitat in the right region will help birders find these iconic grassland songbirds. Their flute-like songs are a highlight of the landscapes they inhabit. Protecting remaining grasslands from conversion to cropland or development is key to maintaining meadowlark populations for future generations to enjoy.
Meadowlarks occupy a special place both ecologically and culturally in North America. Learning about their ranges and habitat needs provides insights into conserving these bright songbirds. Whether hearing a Western Meadowlark in a western prairie or an Eastern Meadowlark in a midwestern pasture, these birds connect us to the land and remind us of the beauty of open spaces.
Some key takeaways:
- Eastern Meadowlark – eastern North America from Atlantic Coast to Great Plains
- Western Meadowlark – western North America from West Coast to Great Plains
- Overlap in Great Plains states like North Dakota, South Dakota, etc.
- Prefer open grasslands and fields, avoid dense/wooded areas
- Singing and foraging for seeds and insects symbolizes prairie landscapes
- Habitat loss threatens populations but future conservation can protect them
Whether you are a birdwatcher, conservationist, or nature lover, understanding meadowlark ranges provides insight into the environments that sustain them. This knowledge can help efforts to preserve critical grasslands and farmlands as essential bird habitat across North America.
