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Eastern Meadowlark

Silhouette MeadowlarksMeadowlarks
Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna
  • ORDER: Passeriformes
  • FAMILY: Icteridae

Basic Description

The sweet, lazy whistles of Eastern Meadowlarks waft over summer grasslands and farms in eastern North America. The birds themselves sing from fenceposts and telephone lines or stalk through the grasses, probing the ground for insects with their long, sharp bills. On the ground, their brown-and-black dappled upperparts camouflage the birds among dirt clods and dry grasses. But up on perches, they reveal bright-yellow underparts and a striking black chevron across the chest.

More ID Info
image of range map for Eastern Meadowlark
Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding
Range map provided by Birds of the World
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Find This Bird

During breeding season Eastern Meadowlarks sing often and fairly late in the day, so listen for their pretty, flutelike songs. Also look for bright yellow-breasted males with dashing black V’s across their chest as they show off from posts or poles. In winter, they may be gathered up in flocks of up to 200 meadowlarks foraging in fields for leftover seeds and grains.

Other Names

  • Pradero Oriental (Spanish)
  • Sturnelle des prés (French)

Backyard Tips

This species often comes to backyards if food is offered. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list.

  • Cool Facts