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Meadowlark
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A Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) with a bright yellow chest and dark markings perches on dry brush, beak open in song against a blurred background.
Listen: The song of the Western meadowlark
A western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) with a yellow breast and dark markings stands on a rock, holding an insect in its beak.
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A Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) with a bright yellow chest and dark markings perches on dry brush, beak open in song against a blurred background.
western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) The state bird of Montana is the western meadowlark.

Meadowlark

bird
Also known as: Sturnella
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Meadowlark, any member of the genus Sturnella, belonging to the family Icteridae (order Passeriformes). Meadowlarks are sharp-billed plump birds, 20 to 28 cm (8 to 11 inches) long. The two species in North America look alike: streaked brown above, with yellow breast crossed by a black V and a short tail with distinctive white outer feathers. The eastern, or common, meadowlark (S. magna) ranges from eastern Canada to Brazil, the western meadowlark (S. neglecta) from western Canada to Mexico (introduced to Hawaii). The former has a simple four-note whistle and the latter an intricate fluting. Meadowlarks consume insects in summer and weed seeds in fall and winter. The nest is a grass dome hidden in a field.

Listen: The song of the Western meadowlark
Listen: The song of the Western meadowlarkThe western meadowlark, or Sturnella neglecta, is found in North America, from western Canada to Mexico, and in Hawaii.
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The red-breasted meadowlark (Pezites militaris), which occurs from Ecuador southward, and a subtropical relative (P. defilippi) are sometimes grouped with red-breasted blackbirds.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.