Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)

[order] Passeriformes | [family] Icteridae | [latin] Sturnella magna | [UK] Eastern Meadowlark | [FR] Sturnelle des pres | [DE] Lerchenstarling | [ES] Turpial Oriental | [IT] Sturnella allodola orientale | [NL] Witkaakweidespreeuw

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. They have a long pointed bill; the head is striped with light brown and black.

It occurs from eastern North America to South America, where is is also most widespread in the east.

This bird inhabits open fields and pastures with scattered trees and bushes. It stays on or near the ground, bending over or flying low and hiding in the low vegetation when threatened. It does not perch very high to sing, usually choosing bushes or fence posts.

Nest, constructed by female alone, is built on the ground of grasses woven into surrounding vegetation. It is lined with fine grass & hair, with a domed canopy of grass & side opening Clutch size varies from 2-6 eggs. Nesting occurs throughout the summer months. There may be more than one nesting female in a maless territory.

Insects, especially grasshoppers and crickets, as well as insect larvae and grubs. Feeds on the ground, picking insects from the surface and also probing in the soil.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 7,300,000 km². It has a large global population estimated to be 10,000,000 individuals (Rich et al. 2003). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

This species is a permanent resident throughout much of its range, though most northern birds migrate southwards in winter