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USA (national)

Wyoming State Bird:

Western meadowlark singing  - click to see all state birds
Western meadowlark singing - photo © Andrew Williams / Critterzone (used
by permission - contact Critterzone: Animal Pictures, Nature Stock Photography
for commercial license or any use)

Western Meadowlark

Western meadowlark bird video below

Wyoming designated the western meadowlark as offiicial state bird in 1927 (see list of all state birds). The western meadowlark is a familiar songbird of open country across the western two-thirds of the continent.


Western meadowlark bird video courtesy of BirdCinema.com

In the same family as blackbirds and orioles, adults are 8-11 inches long and have a black and white striped head; a long, pointed bill; yellow cheeks; bright yellow throat; and a distinctive black "V" on breast. The western meadowlark is often seen perched on fence-posts in grasslands and agricultural areas singing its distinct 7-10 note melody (their flute-like song usually ends with 3 descending notes).

Western meadowlark - click to see list of state birds
Western Meadowlark photo by John and Karen Hollingsworth:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Western meadowlarks forage on the ground and beneath the soil for insects, grain and weed seeds (it's estimated that at least 65-70% of their diet consists of beetles, cutworms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, sow bugs, and snails). They also nest on the ground - constructing a cup of dried grasses and bark woven into the surrounding vegetation. This nest may be open or have a partial or full grass roof, and sometimes a grass entry tunnel several feet long.

Western meadowlark - click to see list of state birds
Western Meadowlark photo by John and Karen Hollingsworth:
courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Western meadowlark predators include hawks, crows, skunks, coyotes, raccoons, and weasels. Western meadowlarks are still abundant but declining throughout their range; they are a protected non-game species.

Source:
General Wyoming Information: Wyoming.gov
Western Meadowlark: Idaho Museum of Natural History
Western Meadowlark: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Links:
State Birds - 50 states List
National Bird

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dinosaur -fish  
 

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