A grassland songbird with a brilliant yellow chest and a flute-like song. Populations have declined 75% since 1970 — one of the steepest losses among North American birds.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The eastern meadowlark is a medium-sized icterid bird, very similar in appearance to its sister species, the western meadowlark. It occurs from eastern North America to northern South America, where it is also most widespread in the east. The Chihuahuan meadowlark was formerly considered to be conspecific with the eastern meadowlark.
Source: Wikipedia — Eastern meadowlark Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Stocky brown-streaked songbird; yellow throat and breast with bold black V.
Similar species. Western Meadowlark (lighter back). Other yellow-breasted songbirds.
Voice. Clear flute-like whistled "see-yu, see-yur" song.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects (especially grasshoppers), seeds, fruits.
Behavior. Ground-foraging meadowlark with high perched song.
§ Range
Eastern and central US, parts of Mexico and Central America
§ Habitat
Native grasslands, hayfields, pastures
§ Threats
Conversion of grassland to row crops, mowing during nesting season, neonic-treated seed.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern meadowlark is currently classified as Near Threatened.
§ What helps
Support working-grasslands conservation. Delay hay mowing until late July. Avoid neonic-treated seed.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Eastern meadowlark
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Sturnella magna
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22724256
- iNaturalist · taxon 9989
- eBird · easmea
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Sturnella magna
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2018
