Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Not EvaluatedCommonInvertebratesGrasslandDomed nestMedium · 92 g

About the Eastern Meadowlark

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.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The adult eastern meadowlark measures from 19 to 28 cm (7.5 to 11.0 in) in length and spans 35–40 cm (14–16 in) across the wings. Body mass ranges from 76 to 150 g (2.7 to 5.3 oz). The extended wing bone measures 8.9–12.9 cm (3.5–5.1 in), the tail measures 5.3–8.6 cm (2.1–3.4 in), the culmen measures 2.8–3.7 cm (1.1–1.5 in) and the tarsus measures 3.6–4.7 cm (1.4–1.9 in). Females are smaller in all physical dimensions. Adults have yellow underparts with a black "V" on the breast and white flanks with black streaks. The upperparts are mainly brown with black streaks.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Eastern Meadowlark sounds like

Recording: Diana Doyle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in St. Pierre & Miquelon.

When to see it

Peak activity in May · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Eastern Meadowlark vs Western Meadowlark

Learn the Eastern Meadowlark for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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