Montana State Bird
Western Meadowlark

• Official Montana State Bird: Western Meadowlark
• Family: Icteridae, Blackbirds
• Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
• Length: 9.5" (24 cm)
• Diet: Insects, few spiders, sowbugs, snails; grass and forb seeds.
• Voice: Song a rich, low, descending warble sleep loo lidi lidijuvil; begins with well-spaced, clear, short whistles and ends with rapid gurgle. Common call a low, bell-like pluk; blackbird-like but more musical; also a slow, dull rattle vididididididi. Flight call slightly lower than Eastern.
• Habitat: Grasslands, cultivated fields and pastures, meadows, prairies.
• Displays: Courtship: male spreads and drags tail, nape feathers erect, bill pointed sown, wings partly open, while softly singing; song-flight on rapidly vibrating wings, hovers slightly above vegetation.
• Number of broods: 2
• Nest: In natural or scraped depression; of coarse grass, lined with finer grass, hair. Domed canopy of grass, bark, forbs interwoven with surrounding vegetation; opening on one side.
• Eggs: Averages 3-7 white eggs, marked with browns, purples. 1.1" (28 mm).
• Incubation period: 13-15 days
• Fledge: 12 days after hatching
• Longevity Record: 6 Years and 6 months (according to USGS Bird Banding Lab) 

When asked in 1930 which bird best represented Montana, the state's school children responded overwhelmingly with the meadowlark. Legislators agreed and in the year 1931, the Western Meadowlark was officially named the Montana State Bird.

Montana Birds

The Western Meadowlark is also the State Bird of five other "Western" states besides Montana: Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming.

Return to 50 State Birds Page

Return to Bird Watching Bliss Home Page

Top-Rated Bird Watching Binoculars, Heated Bird Bath & Window Feeder
Nikon Monarch 5 Best Binoculars for Bird Watching Based on Quality & Price	Squirrel-Proof No batteries, adjustable, easy to clean...and no squirrels! "Best New Product" Award.	Window Bird Feeder Roof protects seed from rain & snow, securely fastens with suction cups.
Click Images or Links To View More Info