Bird · GBIF taxon 2484254
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magnaAlso known as Common Meadowlark
Bright yellow underparts emblazoned with a prominent black V-shaped chest band make Eastern Meadowlarks a striking presence across open country. Males perch on fence posts, telephone lines, or tall weeds to broadcast a sweet, slurred whistle that echoes across pastures and hayfields. Females construct domed grass nests carefully woven directly into deep grass turf, making them vulnerable to early seasonal mowing.
SongbirdGrasslandColorful
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Beetles
Predators
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Domestic Cat
- Bullsnake
ThreatsHabitat loss, premature hay mowing, and agricultural pesticides
HabitatsPastures, native grasslands, hayfields, and abandoned orchards
Life span5 to 8 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyIcteridae
- SpeciesSturnella magna
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognize its bright yellow breast with a black V, perching on fence lines near tall grass.
- Support conservation
- Keep to established paths and avoid walking through thick grasslands from May to July.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Look for perching males on fence posts singing their clear, descending whistles.
- Watch Nesting Areas: Maintain distance from grassy fields in early summer to protect hidden ground nests.
Co-occurring Species (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fyn Kynd · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Cephas / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative 
Family Member (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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