State Bird Of Wyoming
Western Meadowlark Is The Official State Bird Of Wyoming. Wyoming Adopted the western meadowlark (Sturnella Neglecta) as the official state bird in 1927. The Wyoming State Bird Western Meadowlark is a medium-sized icterid bird, about 8.5 in (22 cm) long. Western meadowlark nests on the ground in open country in western and central North America grassland. State Bird Western meadowlark feeds mostly on insects, but also seeds and berries. State Bird Of Wyoming has distinctive calls described as watery or flute-like, which distinguish it from the closely related Eastern Meadowlark.
The Western Meadowlark is probably the most common prairie bird visitors will observe along with the loops in the Great Plains Trail. The bright yellow breast with the “V” is very distinctive, plus the male enjoys perching on fence posts which makes this bird quite visible. Surprisingly, meadowlarks are members of the Blackbird Family. The Male Wyoming State Bird Western Meadowlark will have up to 3 females in his territory of about 7 acres during the summer breeding season. During the winter, Wyoming State Bird meadowlarks eat seeds off the ground. During the rest of the year, they pick off insects and spiders from plants as they walk slowly through the prairie. Western meadowlark predators include hawks, crows, skunks, and weasels. Western meadowlarks are still abundant, but declining throughout their range; they are a protected non-game species.
Characteristics of the Western Meadowlark:
- Length: 8.5 inches
- Sharply-pointed bill
- Buff and brown head stripes
- Yellow underparts with black “v” on breast
- White flanks with black streaks
- Brown upperparts with black streaks
- Brown tail with white outer tail feathers
- Juvenile and winter plumages somewhat duller
- Frequents open habitats
Life Cycle
State Bird Of Wyoming Meadowlarks is ground nesters. They weave dried grasses into a bowl shape, typically within a larger grass clump for shelter and camouflage. An average of 5 eggs are laid and they may have two clutches per year. The eggs are white with brown and lavender spots concentrated at the wider end. Incubation takes two weeks and the young are full-grown 6 weeks after hatching.
Diet
The majority of their food during the growing season is insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Some seeds are eaten also, and that becomes the bulk of their food in the winter.
