Blackbirds (Icteridae)
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna. Insects and seeds taken while walking on the ground.
Blackbirds (Icteridae)Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna
- Scientific name
- Sturnella magna
- Length
- 7.5–10.2 in
- Weight
- 3.2–5.3 oz
- Nest
- Domed grass nest hidden on the ground
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 13–16 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Bright yellow breast with a black V bib
- Streaked brown back
- White outer tail feathers flash in flight
Voice
Clear, plaintive whistles — 'spring-of-the-YEAR'.
Diet and feeding
Insects and seeds taken while walking on the ground.
Eastern Meadowlarks by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–July |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–July |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–July |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–July |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–July |
Frequently asked
What do meadowlarks eat?
Insects and seeds taken while walking on the ground. At feeders: cracked corn, millet (on open ground).
How big is a Eastern Meadowlark?
7.5–10.2 in long and 3.2–5.3 oz.
Do meadowlarks use birdhouses?
No. Domed grass nest hidden on the ground.
Sources
- Eastern Meadowlark — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Meadowlark life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Meadowlark — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.