Western Meadowlark- Sturnella neglecta

Habitat

The western meadowlark lives in meadows, plains, prairies, and other open grasslands.

Diet

The meadowlark's diet is mostly insects like caterpillars, and grasshoppers, although it sometimes eats seeds.

Life Cycle

The male meadowlark uses visual displays to attract a mate. When he finds a female that he wants to mate with, he points his bill in the air, puffs out his yellow throat, and flaps his wings above his head. If that doesn't get the female's attention, he hops up and down. The western meadowlark builds its nest on the ground. The female finds a depression in the ground and shapes it by digging in the dirt with her bill. She lines the depression with soft grass and makes a roof by pulling grass and plants over the depression. She then weaves in grass to make a waterproof dome, leaving enough space for an opening. The female lays 3-7 eggs. It takes about 12 days for the eggs to hatch. The meadowlark usually has two broods a year. The male protects the nest by noisily chasing intruders away.

Behavior

The male meadowlark arrives at the breeding ground a couple of weeks before the female. It likes to perch on fences, poles and wires to claim and guard its territory. A male's home range is usually about six or seven acres. If another male invades his territory, he may get into a fight with the intruder. Fighting meadowlarks lock their feet together and peck at each other with their beaks. The western meadowlark uses its distinctive song and call to claim territory.