Eastern Meadowlark

Photo of an eastern meadowlark, side view, on snowy ground.
Scientific Name
Sturnella magna
Family
Icteridae (New World blackbirds, orioles, meadowlarks) in the order Passeriformes
Description

The eastern meadowlark’s upperpart feathers have dark brown centers and pale edges. The crown is dark with a light median stripe; eyebrow and moustachial streak are white; lores (space between eye and bill) yellow; eye line dark. Outer tail feathers are white or partially white; noticeable in flight but also when the bird flicks them while on the ground. The brown central tail feathers have dark centers and heavy barring. Underparts yellow; a black V marks the breast; sides and flanks have dark streaks. Under tail feathers are white. Song is often a pair of clear, descending whistles: tsee-you, tsee-yer. Call is a harsh dzzzzzert.

Similar species: The western meadowlark is a common permanent resident in northwest Missouri, rare and scattered in the rest of the state. Upperparts are paler, the feathers lacking the dark centers that eastern meadowlarks have. The song is very different: a beautiful, clear, descending whistle followed by a flutelike gurgling that fades near the end. Call is a dull chuck or chup.

Size

Length: 9½ inches (tip of bill to tip of tail).

Where To Find
image of Eastern Meadowlark distribution map

Statewide.

Common permanent resident foraging on the ground in pastures, hay fields, prairies, airports, and crop fields. In winter meadowlarks are often seen near livestock enclosures, feeding on spilled grains.

The sharp, long bills of meadowlarks enable them to hunt ground-dwelling insects such as grubs, crickets, and grasshoppers. Like many other members of the blackbird family, they jab their strong, swordlike bills into the soil, then open their jaws, prying open the grass and soil, uncovering grubs and other “goodies.” In winter, they also eat seeds.

Common permanent resident. There are several subspecies of the eastern meadowlark. Subspecies magna predominates in the northern half of our state, while argutula is in the south. Meanwhile, the eastern and western species rarely interbreed — their calls are very different, and where their ranges overlap they rarely occupy the same territory.

Meadowlarks are ground nesters. The female builds a cup-shaped nest of grasses, plant stalks, and similar materials, usually in some kind of depression on the ground, often hidden under some low plants. Sometimes the nests are covered with a roof or have an arched entrance. From 2 to 7 eggs are laid, and the young hatch naked and helpless. They can leave the nest 10 to 12 days after hatching. Don’t disturb nesting meadowlarks. Females often abandon their eggs if scared off the nest.

The eastern meadowlark’s slurring, clear songs sweeten summer days on farms, in prairies, and other open, grassy areas. They often sing from fence posts or telephone lines, where we can easily admire them. Meadowlarks devour many insects that humans find troublesome.

Meadowlarks are in the same family (Icteridae) as blackbirds, grackles, orioles, and bobolinks. Perhaps the best way to see the resemblance is in their strong, sharp bills. Many icterids pry open grasses and soil for insects the way meadowlarks do.

Media Gallery
Photo of an eastern meadowlark, side view, on snowy ground.
Meadowlarks are stout, stocky birds with short tails, rounded wings, and long, sharp bills.
Jim Rathert
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Photo of an eastern meadowlark against a blue sky, singing.
Male eastern meadowlarks typically sing from prominent places.
Jim Rathert
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Photo of an eastern meadowlark perched on a fence post.
Though male meadowlarks sing from prominent perches, meadowlarks actually spend most of their time on the ground.
Jim Rathert
3/6
Photo of an eastern meadowlark perched among dried plant stalks.
Meadowlarks are in the same family as blackbirds, grackles, and orioles. Most in this family have strong, sharp bills.
Jim Rathert
4/6
Photo of an eastern meadowlark on snowy ground, showing underparts.
On eastern meadowlarks, the dark marks on the flanks unite to form a streaked pattern.
Jim Rathert
5/6
Photo of an eastern meadowlark singing on fence post, showing upperparts.
Note the dark centers of the brown feathers on an eastern meadowlark’s back.
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Photo of an eastern meadowlark, side view, on snowy ground.
Photo of an eastern meadowlark against a blue sky, singing.
Photo of an eastern meadowlark perched on a fence post.
Photo of an eastern meadowlark perched among dried plant stalks.
Photo of an eastern meadowlark on snowy ground, showing underparts.
Photo of an eastern meadowlark singing on fence post, showing upperparts.
Similar Species

Where to See Species

Rocky Fork Lakes, Boone County, Missouri
Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area
The Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area is located in Boone County approximately six miles north of Columbia on Highway 63 and one-half mile east on Peabody road.
Field at La Due Bottoms CA
La Due Bottoms Conservation Area
La Due Bottoms Conservation Area is located in Henry county, 1.5 miles east of Montrose Lake and four miles southwest of Clinton off of Route T.
View from a bridge at Sunnyside School Access
Sunnyside School Access
This 120 acre area is located in Lewis County along the Wyaconda River.
The majority of the area is open land with only about 25 percent of the area covered with timber.
About Birds in Missouri

About 350 species of birds are likely to be seen in Missouri, though nearly 400 have been recorded within our borders. Most people know a bird when they see one — it has feathers, wings, and a bill. Birds are warm-blooded, and most species can fly. Many migrate hundreds or thousands of miles. Birds lay hard-shelled eggs (often in a nest), and the parents care for the young. Many communicate with songs and calls.