The Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) is a medium-sized bird in the Icteridae family of blackbirds. It is a songbird.

The Eastern Meadowlark is mainly brown with black streaks. It has yellow underparts with a black V-shape on its chest. It has white sides with black streaks. Its long beak is pointed. Its head is striped with light-brown and black feathers.

It grows to 19-28 centimetres (8-11 inches) tall. Its wingspan is 35-40 centimetres (14-16 inches). Its tail is about 5-9 centimetres (2-3 inches) long. The female is smaller than the male. 

It is found along the eastern area of North America to the top of South America. It prefers pastures, meadows, grasslands, prairies, dry grass, farmlands, and hay fields.

The Eastern Meadowlark eats beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. It also eats grains and seeds.

It nests on the ground in a shallow depression, usually the footprint of a large animal. It is covered with a roof of woven grass.

Location of photographs: Washington DC, America

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM