Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Singing a Song of Spring

Last Thursday (16 April), I arrived back at the office to the sound of a bird calling in the field to the north.  Looking out over the field I could see this bird perched atop a small tree.

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)

A closer look reveals an Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna).  Every year, I hear one calling in this field a few times during the spring and then it seems to disappear for the summer.  Meadowlarks are a "blackbird" that isn't black.  It is closely related to birds such as Grackles, Blackbirds, Orioles, and Cowbirds.  In addition to its flute-like song, Eastern Meadowlark can be identified by their bright yellow underside and black v-shaped mark across its chest.

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) - a closer view

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