Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Also known as: Meadow Lark, Medlark

About This Species

Listen for this grassland bird's clear, flute-like whistled song, delivered from a fence post or shrub in open pastures, hayfields and prairie remnants. It forages on the ground for insects and seeds and is most conspicuous singing from an exposed perch in the early morning during spring and summer. Grassland edges and rural fields at dawn, scanning fence lines and low perches, offer the best chance of a good view.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

Keep to field edges and existing paths rather than walking through hayfields or pastures, since this species nests directly on the ground and is easily flushed from an unseen nest.
As a nationally declining grassland species in parts of its range, it warrants extra caution around breeding season, including delaying mowing or avoiding trampling suspected nesting areas where possible.
Wild bird nests are broadly protected by law, so if a bird is agitated or giving alarm calls nearby, the right response is to leave the area rather than search for the nest.

NTAvesPasseriformesIcteridae

Seasonal Activity

2,259,080 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae

Photo

CC-BY-NC-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.