Blackbirds, Grackles, Orioles

Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna

Family Icteridae (Blackbirds, Grackles, Orioles)

Size: 9.5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Open fields, grasslands, meadows

The eastern meadowlark is a chunky, short-tailed icterid with a flat head and a long, pointed bill. It is heavily streaked and barred above, and yellow beneath with dark streaking. The head has a dark crown, a white superciliary stripe, a dark eye line, and a yellow chin. On the upper breast is a black, V-shaped necklace that becomes quite pale during winter months. Meadowlarks gather in loose flocks to pick through the grass for insects and seeds. They often perch on telephone wires or posts to sing their short, whistling phrases. The illustration shows a breeding adult.