Meadowlark is the common name of two similar species of North American birds that inhabit grassy fields, meadows, and prairies. The eastern meadowlark usually lives in moister habitats than does the western meadowlark. The eastern meadowlark is found from southern Ontario south to the Amazon River in South America, and it ranges westward to Arizona. The western meadowlark is found from southern British Columbia to central Mexico, and as far east as Ohio.
Meadowlarks are not true larks. They belong to the same family as blackbirds and orioles. Meadowlarks are about the size of robins but have a heavier body, shorter tail, and longer bill. The back, wings, and tail of the meadowlark are brownish, streaked with black. The throat and underparts of the bird are bright yellow with a large, black, V-shaped band on the breast. White feathers on each side of the tail are flashed when the meadowlark is nervous or in flight.
The eastern meadowlark’s song consists of two clear whistles, the second ending as a slurred, drawn-out note. It is one of the first bird songs of spring. The song of the western meadowlark consists of 7 to 10 flutelike, gurgling notes.
Loading the player...Western meadowlark
The meadowlark builds its nest on the ground, usually with a dome-shaped roof of grass hiding the eggs. Both species lay three to seven white eggs speckled with reddish-brown. Meadowlarks eat some waste grain and vast quantities of weed seeds and harmful insects.
Loading the player...Eastern meadowlark
