Written by Janelle Wicks, FOMR Director
Photo by Dn Streiffert, FOMR Volunteer
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a common breeding bird of open grasslands and shrub-steppe habitats across western North America, including Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. It is a member of the blackbird family, Icteridae, although its shape, feeding behavior, and song differ noticeably from many familiar blackbirds. Fun fact: The Western meadowlark is the official bird of six US states, including Oregon.
Adults are brown and streaked above with yellow belly and a distinctive black V-shaped marking on the upper breast. The species is often detected by its song: a series of clear, whistled notes usually delivered from an elevated perch. Driving through Malheur you may see them atop a fence post, shrub, or tall grasses. Males use song primarily to establish and defend breeding territories and attract mates.
Like their cousin the horned lark, Western meadowlarks spend much of their time on the ground, where they forage by walking through grasses and low vegetation. Their diet includes insects, spiders, seeds, and grain. Grasshoppers, beetles, and other invertebrates are particularly important during the breeding season, while adults are feeding their nestlings.
At Malheur the Western meadowlark use a variety of open habitats, including wet-meadow edges, agricultural fields, and open sagebrush-steppe. These areas provide both nesting cover and food sources. The species builds its nest on the ground, usually concealed beneath dense grass or other low vegetation.
Western Meadowlarks are most noticeable at Malheur during spring and summer, when males sing regularly and breeding activity is underway. Their seasonal abundance can vary with local conditions, including precipitation, vegetation growth, insect availability, grazing patterns, and habitat management.
Although Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is widely known for its wetlands and migratory waterbirds, its grasslands and upland habitats also support a diverse bird community. Western Meadowlarks are one example of the species that depend on these open landscapes.
