| The Eastern Meadowlark prefers a grassland habitat. The Meadowlark breeds from Nova Scotia to Texas and Florida, and migrates to the southern United States in winter. Many will remain in their northern habitat year round those that do migrate tend to arrive in there northern breeding grounds in March and April. They can often be seen facing the sun early in the morning or late afternoon atop fence posts where cattle and horses graze. During the summer the Eastern meadowlark feeds mainly on insects, but during the winter it normally eats seeds.
Males stake out their territory in early spring and perch on their fence posts and sing for several hours each day. Their song is a "no trespassing sign" to other meadowlarks. Territorial conflicts between males can become physical. After, rolling on the ground, locking feet and stabbing with beaks one of the larks invariably escapes. The victor will perch atop his fence post and proudly proclaim his victory. A successful male realm may extend over six or seven acres of pasture or hayfield. The female which resembles the male, arrives after the male has established his territory.
The throat and breast are the color of daffodils, with a shiny black satin crescent upon the chest and bright yellow spots above and forward of the eye. Their streaked backs resemble dried grass making them nearly impossible to to spot from above, affording them a measure of protection from predatory birds.
Though similar in appearance the behavior is markedly different. The male faces the female puffs out his chest and raises his beak to expose his colorful front. He will leap up and down and flick his wings to attract her attention.
If successful, the female will begin construction of a nest. The nest is built on the ground in a shallow depression often a hoofprint. Fine grasses are woven together with adjacent vegetation to construct a sturdy nest with a thatched waterproof dome. The nest resembles an ordinary tuft of green and brown weeds. Open on one side, the entrance may be hidden by overhanging weeds. Concealment is this bird's best defense from predators.
Unfortunately, concealment does not protect the nests from mowers that may destroy their homes in the middle of the nesting period of June or July.
The Meadowlark who's name is misnomer as this bird is more closely related to blackbirds than larks, seldom sings during the nesting period. However the male may resume his song after the first brood has probably fledged, and the happy couple may begin start a second nest.
Length 9 to 11 inches
|
