Eastern meadowlark

Explore

Sturnella magna

Type: bird

Status:

Species Guide

Eastern meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Species Type: bird

Conservation Status:

IDENTIFICATION

The eastern meadowlark is a robust, medium-sized songbird, typically 8-10 inches long with a wingspan of around 14 inches. Key markings are its vibrant yellow throat, chest, and belly, interrupted only by a thick black “V” on its chest. The head is alternately striped with black and pale, with the pale supercilium (“eyebrow” stripe) containing a bright yellow patch between the eye and bill. The eastern meadowlark also has a notably long and pointed bill, a short tail with white outer feathers, and a brown-streaked back.

Females look like the males but are smaller. Juveniles are paler overall and lack the black “V” on the chest, which is instead flecked in sparse brown spots. In winter, adults resemble the juveniles since their colors dull and their black chest feathers become pale-tipped.

Eastern meadowlarks often sing from fence posts, trees, and other elevated perches. Their song is a clean, sliding whistle (“TSEE-you TSEE-yer”), but they may also use a rattling call or send out alarm notes to assert territories.

The eastern meadowlark is not actually a lark (Alaudidae family), nor does it belong to the family of starlings (Sturnidae) as its Latin name – meaning “large little starling” – suggests. Rather, the eastern meadowlark is a member of the blackbird family (Icteridae) along with orioles, cowbirds, grackles, red-winged blackbirds, bobolinks, and others.

Distribution & Habitat

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

Eastern meadowlarks are widespread in grassland habitats across roughly the eastern half of the US and southeastern Canada, ranging southward into northern South America. They are usually year-round residents, but northernmost populations migrate south for the winter. New Jersey's meadowlarks are most common in the agricultural areas of Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, and Salem Counties and are often resident year-round, especially in the south.

Preferred habitats include grasslands, prairies, lightly grazed pastures, mixed-grass hayfields, and fallow areas with a low percentage of forbs and less than one-third shrub cover. Dense grasses between 10-20 inches tall (medium height) seem to be the most used for nesting. Meadowlarks may use cropland as well, although nesting is limited by the absence of grass cover. Ideal habitats have ample perches within the habitat or along the perimeter. Fence posts, tall forbs, shrubs, trees, and even utility wires can serve as perches. Eastern meadowlarks are area-sensitive birds, requiring at least 15-20 acres of unbroken grassland habitat for nesting.

Eastern and western meadowlarks are very similar and can be difficult to tell apart where their ranges overlap, which includes several central US states and the Great Lakes region. Occasionally an "accidental" western meadowlark turns up in New Jersey. Their songs are the best field identifier.