Nebraska State Bird: Western Meadowlark

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Fact-checked • Updated November 27, 2024

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State Bird of Nebraska

Nebraska State Bird – Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlarks sing across Nebraska grasslands from spring into fall. Nebraska selected this yellow-breasted bird in 1929. Local women's clubs promoted the idea. Students submitted thousands of votes in a statewide poll. The meadowlark finished first and became the state choice.

Bright Yellow Shared with 5 Other States Since 1929
Western Meadowlark

Why Nebraska Chose This Bird

Pioneers heard the warbling song each spring across Nebraska. Western Meadowlarks appeared everywhere settlers farmed. Farmers walked fields at dawn listening to males defend territory from fence posts. Songs signaled winter had ended.

Meadowlarks hunt beetles, grasshoppers, and cutworms in agricultural areas. Cotton and wheat growers faced these pests daily. Birds probed soil, jabbed at insects, and cleared fields throughout growing season. Natural pest control helped crops without cost.

Five birds made the final list in 1928. Robins lived across too much of North America. Hunters opposed selecting the Bobwhite. Brown thrashers and house wrens received votes. Meadowlarks won for their pest control value and statewide presence.

Legislative History

  1. The Campaign

    The Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs met in Kearney in October 1928. Members passed a resolution calling for a state bird. Their Conservation Division sent lists to schools across Nebraska. Students voted by the thousands.

  2. The Vote

    Five species got the most votes. Western Meadowlark came out on top. The Ornithologists Union of Nebraska backed the same bird that spring. Representative F.C. Rundle from Hamilton County introduced the resolution. March 22, 1929. Governor Adam McMullen signed. Done.

  3. Legal Standing

    Nebraska law recodified the designation later as Statute 90-107. The text stays simple: "The western meadowlark is hereby declared the state bird of Nebraska." That's it. No flowery language about symbols or prairie spirit.

What This Bird Represents

Prairie Connection

Open grassland defines Nebraska's landscape. You need birds adapted to that habitat. Western Meadowlarks nest on the ground, hidden in prairie grasses. They hunt in short vegetation. They sing from exposed perches. Perfect match.

Agricultural Heritage

Wheat farming built early Nebraska communities. Meadowlarks followed the plow into new territory. Freshly turned soil exposed beetles and grubs. The birds adapted. Farmers noticed and appreciated the pest control.

Popular Recognition

Six states picked the Western Meadowlark as their official bird. Only the Northern Cardinal represents more states. Montana chose it in 1931. Kansas went with meadowlarks in 1937. That tells you something about shared Great Plains identity.

Physical Characteristics

Distinctive Markings

That black V on the yellow breast makes identification easy. You spot it from 50 yards away. Brown and black streaks cover the back. White outer tail feathers flash during takeoff. Long, pointed bill for probing soil.

Size and Build

About robin-sized but stocky. Males and females look identical. Length ranges from 6.3 to 10.2 inches. Weight between 3.1 and 4.1 ounces. Short tail. Flat head. Round-shouldered posture nearly hides the neck when perched.

Seasonal Changes

September through January brings duller plumage. The black V fades to gray. Thinner barring on wings and tail. Flanks turn whitish. Come February? Breeding colors return. The yellow brightens. The V darkens.

Behavior and Song

The Song

Rich, low, descending warble. Starts with well-spaced clear whistles. Ends with a rapid gurgle. Seven to ten notes typically. Nothing like the Eastern Meadowlark's simple whistles. John James Audubon used song differences to prove these were separate species in 1844.

Daily Patterns

Mornings bring peak singing from March through July. Males claim territory by singing from fence posts, shrub tops, power lines. You hear them a quarter-mile away. Afternoons? Ground foraging. Walking slowly, jabbing bills into soil, prying open grass clumps.

Feeding Technique

They use a behavior called gaping. Insert bill in soil. Force it open. Access seeds and insects other birds miss. Smart adaptation. Works great for digging out beetle larvae hiding under dirt clods and manure piles.

Habitat and Range

Nebraska Distribution

Common statewide during spring and fall migration. Summer breeding happens everywhere except some southeastern counties. Southern Nebraska hosts most winter residents. Look for them in pastures, prairie remnants, hay fields, crop stubble after harvest.

Habitat Preferences

Short to medium-height grasslands work best. They avoid tall, thick vegetation and wooded areas. Need some bare ground for foraging. Scattered shrubs or fence posts for singing perches. Prairie dogs create perfect habitat by keeping grass short through grazing.

Migration Patterns

Northern Nebraska birds head south in late fall. They winter in southern Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma. Migration happens relatively late compared to other songbirds. Spring return comes early. Resident populations stay year-round in mild winters.

Conservation Status

Breeding Bird Survey data show population declines since the 1960s. Not endangered yet. Least Concern classification holds. Estimated 100 million globally. Habitat loss drives the downward trend. Conversion of grasslands to row crops removes nesting sites. Here's what helps:

  • Delay mowing hay fields until after July 15 when nesting finishes
  • Maintain native prairie remnants instead of converting to crops
  • Use prescribed burns on rotation to create habitat diversity
  • Reduce pesticide applications that kill insect food sources
  • Leave fence rows and field margins unmowed during breeding season

Interesting Facts

Fact 1 of 10

Meriwether Lewis first described this bird in 1805 during the Lewis and Clark expedition, but scientists didn't recognize it as a separate species until 1844.

Western Meadowlark Songs & Calls

Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Western Meadowlark. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.

Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Also the State Bird of:

Kansas Montana North Dakota Oregon Wyoming

Sources & References

This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.

1
Cornell Lab of Ornithology - All About Birds
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/overview

Comprehensive species information including identification, behavior, and habitat details • Accessed: November 30, 2025

2
Nebraska Legislature - State Statutes
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=90-107

Official legal statute designating the Western Meadowlark as Nebraska's state bird • Accessed: November 30, 2025

3
American Bird Conservancy
https://abcbirds.org/birds/western-meadowlark/

Conservation status, range information, and historical background on the species • Accessed: November 30, 2025

Accuracy Commitment: We strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information. If you notice any errors or outdated information, please contact us.

People Also Ask

When did Nebraska adopt the Western Meadowlark as the state bird?
Nebraska adopted the Western Meadowlark on March 22, 1929. The Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs started the campaign in October 1928 at their Kearney convention. They sent ballots to schools across the state. Students voted for their favorite from a list of five birds. The meadowlark won. Representative F.C. Rundle introduced the resolution to the Forty-fifth Session of the Legislature, and Governor Adam McMullen signed it into law that March.
Why did Nebraska choose the Western Meadowlark instead of another bird?
The Western Meadowlark connected Nebraska's prairie identity with practical agricultural value. Farmers heard the bird's distinctive song every spring across grasslands. The species was abundant statewide and well-known to residents. Meadowlarks also provided free pest control by eating beetles, grasshoppers, and cutworms that damaged crops. The combination of familiarity, beautiful song, and agricultural benefits made it a natural choice. Five birds reached the final ballot, but the meadowlark's prairie symbolism won out.
How many other states have the Western Meadowlark as their state bird?
Five other states besides Nebraska chose the Western Meadowlark: Kansas (1937), Montana (1931), North Dakota (1947), Oregon (1927), and Wyoming (1927). That makes six states total, the second-most popular state bird choice after the Northern Cardinal, which represents seven states. The meadowlark's widespread presence across the Great Plains and West Coast, combined with its melodious song, made it a popular symbol of prairie and grassland states throughout the early 20th century.
What does the Western Meadowlark look like and how can I identify it?
The Western Meadowlark has a bright yellow breast marked by a distinctive black V across the throat. Brown and black streaks cover the back and wings. White outer tail feathers flash during flight. The bird measures 6.3 to 10.2 inches long with a 16-inch wingspan. Look for its stocky robin-sized body, flat head, and long pointed bill. Males and females appear identical. During winter months (September through January), the plumage becomes duller and the black V fades to gray before brightening again in breeding season.
Where can I see Western Meadowlarks in Nebraska?
Western Meadowlarks live statewide during spring and fall migration periods. Summer breeding occurs throughout Nebraska except in some southeastern counties. Southern parts of the state host most winter residents. Look for them in short to medium-height grasslands, pastures, prairie remnants, hay fields, and agricultural areas with crop stubble. They prefer open habitats with scattered fence posts or shrubs where males perch to sing. Early morning offers the best viewing and listening opportunities when males are most vocal defending territories.
What do Western Meadowlarks eat?
Western Meadowlarks eat mostly insects during spring and summer, including beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, ants, cutworms, spiders, snails, and sowbugs. They use a feeding technique called gaping, inserting their bills into soil and prying it open to access hidden insects and seeds. Seeds and waste grain make up about one-third of their annual diet, eaten primarily in fall and winter. A single meadowlark can consume over 100 grasshoppers daily during summer, providing significant pest control value to Nebraska farmers and ranchers.
Is the Western Meadowlark endangered in Nebraska?
The Western Meadowlark is not currently endangered, maintaining a Least Concern conservation status with an estimated global population of 100 million birds. However, Breeding Bird Survey data shows population declines in Nebraska and across the species' range since the 1960s. The main threat is habitat loss from conversion of grasslands and pastures to row crops. Delayed mowing of hay fields until after July 15, preservation of native prairie remnants, reduced pesticide use, and rotational prescribed burns on grasslands all help maintain meadowlark populations across the state.
What is the Western Meadowlark's song like and when can I hear it?
The Western Meadowlark's song is a rich, low, descending warble that starts with well-spaced clear whistles and ends with a rapid gurgle. The melody typically includes seven to ten notes and sounds distinctly different from the Eastern Meadowlark's simple whistles. Males sing most actively from March through July during breeding season, especially during morning hours. You can hear their songs from a quarter-mile away as they perch on fence posts, power lines, or shrub tops. This distinctive vocalization was the key feature John James Audubon used to identify them as a separate species in 1844.
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