Grassland Bird Species

Eastern Meadowlark

During the summer, meadowlarks may be seen along farm roads displaying their bold yellow chests from a nearby fence post, telephone pole, or tree, where their rich melodic song can be heard. Meadowlarks nest in a variety of grassland types, including hay and alfalfa fields, shrubby overgrown fields, and pastures. Once common on farmlands, meadowlarks are mostly confined to larger hayfields, conservation lands, and airports.

Life History

Meadowlarks usually require at least 15 to 20 acres of grassland. Meadowlarks prefer grass-dominated fields with a thick layer of dead grass for cover and nesting material and scattered shrubs and forbs for song perches. Mature fields with a variety of grass heights and densities are preferred. Because meadowlarks can have two broods per season, the breeding period extends into mid-August. Therefore, early summer mowing of hayfields is detrimental to meadowlark nests and young.

Reason for Decline

• Farmland fragmentation. Meadowlarks only use medium to large hayfields (greater than 15 acres). Many remaining hayfields are too small to be suitable breeding habitat.
• More frequent field rotation. Meadowlarks prefer old, mature hayfields that contain a dense ground cover and diversity of grasses and forbs.
• Reduction in field diversity. Meadowlarks prefer mixed fields over fields of pure alfalfa. Alfalfa lacks sufficient ground cover.

Map of distribution and abundance

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