Eastern Meadowlark
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Sturnella magna
Population size
37 Mlnlnn
Life Span
3-9 years
Weight
76-150
2.7-5.3
goz
g oz 
Length
19-28
7.5-11
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
35-40
13.8-15.7
cminch
cm inch 

The eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna ) is a medium-sized blackbird (family: Icteridae), very similar in appearance to sister species western meadowlark. It occurs from eastern North America to northern South America, where it is also most widespread in the east.

Di

Diurnal

Ca

Carnivore

In

Insectivores

He

Herbivore

Gr

Granivore

Fr

Frugivore

Te

Terrestrial

Al

Altricial

Zo

Zoochory

Te

Territorial

Po

Polygyny

So

Social

Fl

Flocking

Pa

Partial Migrant

E

starts with

Appearance

Eastern meadowlarks are medium-sized songbirds often heard during summer, singing their sweet, lazy song across grasslands and farms. Adults have yellow underparts with a black "V" on the breast and white flanks with black streaks. The upperparts are mainly brown in color with black streaks. Meadowlarks have a long pointed bill, dark brown eyes, and their head is striped with light brown and black.

Distribution

Geography

Eastern meadowlarks are found from eastern North America to South America, where they are also most widespread in the east. These birds are permanent residents throughout much of their range, though most northern populations migrate southwards in winter. Eastern meadowlarks inhabit mainly grasslands and prairie, but can also be found in shrublands, meadows, pastures, hayfields, and other grassy areas.

Eastern Meadowlark habitat map

Climate zones

Eastern Meadowlark habitat map
Eastern Meadowlark
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Habits and Lifestyle

Eastern meadowlarks are shy diurnal birds that spend most of their time in tall grasses searching for food. They forage on the ground or in thick vegetation, sometimes probing with the bill. Eastern meadowlarks are social and in winter, they often feed in flocks. These are very vocal birds that use a variety of songs and calls to communicate with each other. Their song consists of pure, melancholy whistles, and when alarmed Eastern meadowlarks produce a short buzzy call.

Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Eastern meadowlarks are carnivores (insectivores) and herbivores (granivores, frugivores). They mainly eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, but also seeds, corn, wild fruits, and berries.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
summer
INCUBATION PERIOD
13-14 days
INDEPENDENT AGE
24-26 days
BABY NAME
chick
web.animal_clutch_size
2-6 eggs

Eastern meadowlarks are polygynous and males usually mate with 2-3 females which they accept in their territories. Nesting occurs throughout the summer months. Females build their nests in shallow depressions on the ground and cover them with a roof woven from grasses. The clutch size is 2-6 eggs, incubated by the female for 13 to 14 days. The chicks are born naked, blind, and are fed mainly by the female. They start to leave the nest at around 10 or 12 days after hatching and become completely independent 2 weeks later. Reproductive maturity is usually reached by the first year of age.

Population

Population threats

Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion is probably the biggest threat to Eastern meadowlarks. Allowing marginal areas of fields on farms to seed with grass can provide nesting habitat for meadowlarks and all grassland birds. Delaying hay harvest can also improve survival, giving young meadowlarks a chance of fledging. Other important threats include the use of pesticides and overgrazing by livestock. Eastern meadowlarks are also sensitive to disturbances and nesting females often abandon their clutches if they are flushed from their nests.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Eastern meadowlarks is 37,000,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are increasing.

Ecological niche

Eastern meadowlarks play an important role in their ecosystem. Due to their diet habits, these birds control populations of insects which could damage the vegetation and also disperse the seeds of fruits and plants they eat. Meadowlarks also provide food for many local predators including foxes, skunks, birds of prey, coyotes, as wells as dogs and domestic cats.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Eastern meadowlarks are not larks, they are related to orioles and blackbirds.
  • Male and female Eastern meadowlarks like to preen and stretch, especially in the morning hours.
  • Eastern meadowlarks enjoy bathing during hot summer days and often do that in puddles and wet grass.
  • Eastern meadowlarks that migrate, usually do this during daylight hours, and in order to reach their wintering grounds, some of these birds may travel over 1,000 km.
  • Eastern meadowlarks may sometimes sing at night and especially when the moon is bright.

References

1. Eastern Meadowlark on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_meadowlark
2. Eastern Meadowlark on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22735434/155622113
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/705409

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