Western Meadowlark Montana State Bird | Slide Mouse
The western meadowlark sturnella neglecta was designated the official state bird of montana in 1931.
Western meadowlark montana state bird. The generalcolours and markings are much the same in both species but much palerin the present one. Western meadowlarks are very similar in appearance to east meadowlarks but their songs are very different. Upperparts with intricate concealing pattern of buffs browns and black streaks and bars. I found this guy along the missouri river south of wolf point montana tuesday.
No wonder it is the state bird of six western states. A familiar songbird of open country in the western two thirds of north america the western meadowlark was chosen overwhelmingly by montana s school children to represent the state wyoming north dakota oregon and kansas also adopted the western meadowlark as their state bird. To meriwether lewis goes the distinction of not only discovering the bitterroot but also first recording what became montana s state bird. Web version of john james audubon s work.
The western meadow lark is known for its loud cheerful chirps. Western meadowlark photo provided courtesy of jaime and lisa johnson. Montana kansas nebraska north dakota oregon and wyoming. The eggs only take two weeks to hatch.
It is about as big as a robin with a bright yellow chest and throat under a black collar. Identifying montana s state bird the montana state bird photo by kevin cole. Portions copyright richard r. Underparts bright yellow the sides flanks and undertail coverts dull white broadly streaked and spotted with dusky black.
Under the date of june 22 1805 lewis noted in his journal the appearance of a lark with a yellow breast and black spot on the throat. Montana s state bird thomas lee true west this is a western meadowlark montana s state bird. The western meadowlark is also the kansas state bird nebraska state bird north dakota state bird oregon state bird and wyoming state bird. It wasn t hard he was a great singer.
It feeds mostly on bugs but will also feed on seeds and berries. The western meadowlark is a very melodic bird that lives in open country like grasslands and shrublands. The western meadowlark is the state bird of six states. Compared to other birds the western meadowlark s migration is short but broad enough to represent wyoming kansas nebraska north dakota and oregon as their state bird in addition to being the montana state bird.
Crown dark with light median stripe. Kansas montana nebraska north dakota oregon and wyoming.