Episode 9: Eastern Meadowlark – Voice of the Wild

Learn the song and call of the Eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna).

This yellow-fronted bird with a black V on its chest often sings from fence posts and power lines. It’s fairly common anywhere grasses have been spared regular mowing. It nests on the ground where it forages for insects using a long pointed beak. When startled from its prairie or pasture home it flies away with rapid wingbeats then fans out its white-edged tail to catch the wind as it glides to a stop. Its call is harsh and electric but its song is sweet and smooth; the favorite of many farmers across the state.

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program.

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The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:

Eastern Meadowlark song by Wil Hershberger (ML509953)

Eastern Meadowlark call by Ted Parker (ML509967)