A couple of weeks ago, while on my way to work, I spotted this gorgeous male eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) singing from the top of a fence post. In northern climates singing meadowlarks are said to be a sign that spring is on its way. And although spring has been in full swing for a few weeks down here in the south, I still think this singing meadowlark is a great sign. The reason that these birds do this is to mark their territory and to protect it from other males. As with most territorial species, the males with the best territories get the most females. In the case of meadowlarks, males will usually allow two or sometimes three females to nest their territory.

Eastern meadowlarks can be found from eastern Canada, through the eastern United States, through Central America, and into northern South America. Throughout most of its range, it is a resident, but birds from the far north do migrate south for the winter. In the spring males begin marking territories to start breeding in the late spring or early summer. They are usually found in open, grassy areas like prairies, forest edges, swamp edges, and farmland. Except when singing, they tend to be mainly ground dwellers. They nest on the ground and forage for insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and grubs on the ground. They will also sometimes supplement their diet with seeds and berries, especially during the winter.

Eastern meadowlarks are currently considered a near threatened species. Their numbers have decreased dramatically since the 1960’s due mainly to the steep decrease in small family own farms. Other factors include insecticides, modern harvesting machines, and over grazing of pastures. Current conservation methods include encouraging farmers to leave some grassy land around crops, care in harvesting methods including later harvesting of hay, decreased use of pesticides, and not allowing animals to over graze.