Western Meadowlark: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Birds of North America · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Despite its name, the meadowlark is not a real lark. It got the name for its sweet song, but it belongs to the New World blackbird family.
2. Its bubbly, flute-like song is the best way to tell it from the eastern meadowlark, which gives a simple whistle.
3. It nests on the ground and weaves a roof of grass over the nest. Some nests even have a little runway leading to the door.
4. Six US states picked it as their state bird. Only the northern cardinal, chosen by seven, beats it.
5. In 2017, Oregon lawmakers argued over meadowlark or osprey as state bird. One played its song on his phone, and both got a title in the end.

The quiz

1. Which bird family does the meadowlark really belong to?

• The larks
• The New World blackbirds (correct)
• The thrushes
• The finches

It is called a lark for its song, but it is a New World blackbird.

2. How does the western meadowlark's song differ from the eastern meadowlark's?

• It is a harsh croak
• It is silent
• It is flute-like and warbling (correct)
• It is a single click

Its song is flute-like and warbled; the eastern's is a simple whistle.

3. What covers a western meadowlark's nest?

• A roof woven from grass (correct)
• Mud and pebbles
• Spider silk
• Nothing, it is open

The ground nest is covered with a roof of woven grass.

4. How many US states have the western meadowlark as their state bird?

• Two
• Twelve
• One
• Six (correct)

It is the state bird of six states, from Kansas to Wyoming.

5. How was Oregon's 2017 bird debate settled?

• The osprey replaced the meadowlark
• The meadowlark became state songbird and the osprey state raptor (correct)
• A new bird was chosen
• The vote was cancelled

In a compromise, each bird received its own title.

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