Oregon State Bird: Oregon State Bird
Fact-checked • Updated November 27, 2024
Oregon State Bird – Oregon State Bird
Oregon schoolchildren chose the Western Meadowlark as the state bird in 1927 through a poll organized by the Oregon Audubon Society. Governor I. L. Patterson issued a proclamation in July. Lawmakers did not adopt a statute. Song carries across open grasslands. Males produce a layered melody that falls in pitch and finishes with a quick gurgle.
Why Oregon Chose This Bird
School children drove the selection process in 1927. The Oregon Audubon Society organized a statewide poll. Students voted for the bird they saw most often. Meadowlark songs filled farm country from spring through summer. Teachers reported overwhelming support for the species.
Western Meadowlarks lived throughout Oregon at that time. Eastern grasslands supported large populations. The Willamette Valley hosted breeding pairs before extensive agriculture converted native prairie. Coastal areas near Bandon and Coos Bay recorded nesting birds. Blue Mountain prairies provided abundant habitat.
Governor I. L. Patterson formalized the choice through executive proclamation in July 1927. No legislative vote occurred. Oregon became one of few states to designate a bird by gubernatorial action. The method suited the grassroots campaign children had started.
Legislative History
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The 1927 Student Poll
Oregon Audubon Society initiated the bird selection campaign. School districts across the state participated. Ballots went out to students in rural and urban schools alike. Teachers helped coordinate voting. The Western Meadowlark emerged as the clear favorite. Results reflected which birds children encountered regularly in their daily lives. Summer field trips and farm chores gave students direct experience with the species.
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Governor Patterson's Proclamation
Isaac Lee Patterson served as Oregon's governor from 1927 to 1929. He issued the proclamation naming the Western Meadowlark as state bird in July 1927. Patterson governed in a financially conservative manner, focusing on road improvements and educational system development. The bird designation represented a symbolic gesture honoring children's choice. No emergency clause or legislative debate accompanied the action.
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Later Legislative Status
The Oregon Legislative Assembly never codified the designation into statute. A 2017 controversy arose when legislators proposed replacing the meadowlark with the osprey. Some argued five other states already claimed the Western Meadowlark. Defenders pointed out the beaver also serves multiple states without complaint. The legislature ultimately retained the meadowlark and added the osprey as official state raptor. That compromise ended debate.
What This Bird Represents
Open Country Heritage
Western Meadowlarks need grasslands to survive. Eastern Oregon's bunchgrass prairies provided prime habitat. The species represented rural life and agricultural landscapes. Farm families heard the song from fence posts every morning. Ranchers saw meadowlarks hunting insects in pastures. The bird connected Oregonians to their state's open spaces. High desert country east of the Cascades remains meadowlark territory.
Conservation Concerns
Habitat loss has reduced meadowlark numbers statewide. Native prairie conversion to intensive agriculture eliminated nesting sites. The Willamette Valley lost most breeding pairs. West of the Cascades, the species now appears rarely. Eastern populations remain more stable where rangeland persists. The decline makes the state bird designation more significant. Protecting what remains matters to those who remember when meadowlark song filled Oregon valleys.
Physical Characteristics
Size and Build
Adults measure 6.3 to 10.2 inches long. Weight ranges from 3.1 to 4.1 ounces. Wingspan stretches 16.1 inches across. The build appears chunky like an American Robin but with different proportions. Flat head and round-shouldered posture create a nearly neckless appearance. Short, rounded wings suit grassland life. Stiff, spiky tail helps with ground maneuvering. The body shape evolved for walking through thick grass.
Plumage Details
Yellow covers the entire underside from throat to belly. That bold black V marks the breast like a bib. White flanks show black streaks running lengthwise. Upper parts combine brown, black, and buff in intricate patterns. Head stripes alternate dark brown and light buff. The long, pointed bill stays dark. Outer tail feathers flash white during takeoff. Males display brighter colors than females. Breeding plumage appears more vivid than winter dress.
Seasonal Variation
Winter plumage runs duller overall. The black V becomes gray and less contrasting. Feather tips wear away to reveal brighter breeding colors underneath. This eliminates the need for a spring molt. Most birds replace all feathers once during late summer. Watch for the transformation in September. Fresh feathers hide the brilliant yellow beneath pale edges. By March, worn tips expose the full breeding coloration.
Behavior and Song
Vocal Performance
Males deliver complex songs from fence posts and utility poles. The melody lasts up to five seconds. Clear, flute-like notes open the performance. A descending warble follows. Everything ends with a rapid gurgle. Females sing too but produce shorter, simpler versions. Listen for sharp seep calls and chattering chuck notes year-round. The throaty took sound differs completely from Eastern Meadowlark's buzzy dzzhrrt. Song identifies the species more reliably than appearance.
Foraging Methods
Watch them walk deliberately through short grass. They probe soil with that long bill searching for hidden prey. Beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets make up summer diet. Caterpillars, ants, and true bugs add variety. Spiders, snails, and sowbugs supplement protein intake. Seeds and waste grain become important during fall and winter. About one-third of annual diet comes from plant material. Ground foraging continues even in snow.
Territorial Behavior
Males stake out breeding territories averaging seven acres. Some claim three acres, others defend fifteen. Fence posts serve as singing perches marking boundaries. Males chase intruders aggressively. A single male may attract multiple females. Up to three nests can appear within one territory. Polygamy remains common in stable populations. Males help feed nestlings but females handle most parenting duties.
Daily Patterns
They forage alone during breeding season. Winter brings small, loose flocks. Flight stays low with wings held below horizontal. The pattern resembles quail—short, stiff wingbeats alternating with glides. Meadowlarks flush reluctantly when approached. They prefer running through grass to flying. Early morning brings peak singing activity. Males resume calling after midday quiet.
Habitat and Range
Oregon Distribution
Eastern Oregon supports the largest populations. Bunchgrass prairies surrounding the Blue Mountains host abundant birds. Malheur County's Owyhee River country provides prime habitat. Hillsides outside The Dalles ring with meadowlark songs. Jackson County's mounded prairies maintain breeding pairs. A few nest along the southern coast. Willamette Valley populations have crashed since 1927. Most remaining western birds occupy the southern valley portion.
Habitat Requirements
Native grasslands with thick vegetation support breeding. Open prairies work well. Pastures and abandoned fields attract pairs. Scattered trees or shrubs provide song perches. Too much woody cover drives birds away. They avoid dense forest and heavily developed areas. Ground nesting requires low vegetation with some concealment. Croplands and weedy fields substitute for natural grassland. Grassy roadsides support small populations.
Seasonal Movements
Many Oregon birds remain year-round. Central Oregon hosts permanent residents. Northern breeders migrate south in fall. Some movement happens east into southern states. Canadian populations travel farthest. Spring arrival depends on weather and elevation. Males return to breeding grounds first. Territory establishment begins immediately. Females follow within two weeks.
North American Range
The species spans western and central portions of the continent. British Columbia marks the northern breeding limit. Range extends south to northern Mexico. Eastern boundary runs roughly along the Mississippi River. Where Eastern and Western Meadowlark ranges overlap, the western species prefers drier habitat with thinner vegetation. They defend territories against eastern birds but rarely interbreed. Hybrid offspring show reduced fertility.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 8
John James Audubon named the species Sturnella neglecta in 1844 because ornithologists had given it so little attention despite its abundance.
Oregon State Bird Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Oregon State Bird. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Also the State Bird of:
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.
Historical context of 1927 selection, habitat preferences, and population distribution across Oregon • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Current status, year-round distribution, and ecological information specific to Oregon populations • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Comprehensive species guide covering identification, behavior, breeding biology, and range information • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Physical measurements, vocal descriptions, habitat requirements, and dietary information • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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