Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
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Description: |
Robin-sized, brown with streaks above, bright yellow below with bold black "V" on the breast. |
| Voice: | Rich, flute-like jumble of notes, usually descending the scale: very different from the Eastern Meadowlark's series of simple, plaintive whistles. | |
| Habitat: | Meadows, plains, and prairies. | |
| Range: | Southern and Southwest Canada through Central and Western United States to highlands of Central Mexico. | |
| Nesting: | 3 - 7 white or creme eggs with dark brown and purple spots. |
photo by Bill Monroe, The Oregonian, reprinted with permission
In 1844, realizing that there was a difference between the previously
discovered Eastern Meadowlark and the newly noticed Western Meadowlark, John
James Audubon named the Western Meadowlark "Sturnella neglecta", Latin
for overlooked.
The Western Meadowlark’s rich, singsong voice, harmonic and flutelike and beautiful coloration make it one of the most popular choices for states to choose as their state bird. Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming all list the Western Meadowlark as their state bird! Surprisingly, no state has designated the Eastern Meadowlark, which does not have as musical a song as the Western Meadowlark.
Meadowlarks need an unusually large territory for nesting. In certain parts of Oregon, Meadowlark numbers are declining and citizens are organizing programs to provide new habitats for not only Meadowlarks but for other birds that are in the same critical population status. A newly organized program, "Partnerships with Wildlife" is asking landowners to pay a little more environmental attention to outlying areas of land that would be the right kind of meadow and pasture habitats that Meadowlarks and other birds need. The Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation has programs to raise funds for the Oregon State Department of Fish and Wildlife on behalf of the Western Meadowlark. Their efforts are educational-to raise awareness of the special habitat requirements of the Meadowlark as well as other nesting birds.
In today's hectic world, it is easy to overlook the myriad of creatures with which we humans share our planet. But look we must, for without our help, their voices will fall silent; and without their song, and their presence, the man made noises of today will overcome our spirit.
A portion of Meadowlark's recording sales is donated to organizations dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. Meadowlark is available for fundraising and benefit concerts. Please e-mail us for details.
We'd love to hear from you!
E-mail us at webmail@meadowlarkmusic.com
