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In
1844, John James Audubon comments on the "curious notes"
uttered by meadowlarks along the upper Missouri River. He observed
that although the species was known to members of the Lewis and
Clark expedition, no one had taken the "least notice"
of these birds since. in consequence, Audubon named western meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta.
The meadowlark is easily recognized by its bright
plumage. The yellow throat and breast are intersected by a distinct
black "V". The bird literally makes a visual shout even
before it sings. This brightly colored singer is commonly seen in
the open grasslands perched on a fence post or tall weed.
The meadowlarks' arrival is one of the first
indications of the arrival of spring. They are warm season residents
of the prairies and grassy valleys, where they feed on insects.
They winter in more temperate climates going only as far sough as
they need to find snow-free feeding grounds. In the winter they
primarily eat grains and seeds.
Have you heard the song of the western meadowlark?
It is a distinctive flute-like yodel heard throughout the grasslands.
This memorable song, produced by the males, is performed to attract
females and is a proclamation to other males that the territory
is occupied.
A search for a meadowlark's nest requires looking
at the ground. The nest is constructed from dead grasses with hair
lining it. The nest will be concealed in a small depression under
a clump of grass or weeds. An average clutch of a meadowlark numbers
three to five eggs.
Young meadowlarks leave the nest before they
can fly and depend on being able to hide in the grass for safety.
When the young leave the nest, they gather into groups and roam
the surrounding countryside. What a great form of pest control these
birds provide. Fledglings quickly catch on to hunting insects on
their own, easily capturing grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, spiders
and a rainbow of caterpillars for their dinner.
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