Wyoming State Bird

Western Meadowlark

(Sturnella Neglecta)

Adopted February 5, 1927.

The Western Meadowlark, Sturnella Neglecta, was adopted as the State Bird on February 5, 1927.

The western meadowlark is about nine inches long. It has a brown and black back and wings and a bright yellow chest with a black V on it. The meadowlark's colors may be a little duller in winter. It has a long pointed bill.

Description of the Wyoming State Bird

This bird is known for its loud, cheerful chirps. It is about as big as a robin with a bright yellow chest and throat under a black collar. It builds its nest on the ground and lays between three and seven white eggs with purple and brown spots. The eggs only take two weeks to hatch. It can be found in spring and summer along most dirt roads, sitting on fence posts singing to other meadowlarks nearby.

• Length: 8.5 inches
• Sharply-pointed bill
• Buff and brown head stripes
• Yellow underparts with black "v" on breast
• White flanks with black streaks
• Brown upperparts with black streaks
• Brown tail with white outer tail feathers
• Juvenile and winter plumages somewhat duller
• Frequents open habitats

Approximately the size of a robin, the meadowlark sports a yellow breast with a black bib over its mottled brown body. These song birds are found from Wisconsin to Texas and westward to the Pacific.

Statute

Wyoming Statutes, Title 8, Chapter 3, Section 8-3-105.

Title 8 General Provisions.
Chapter 3 - State Seal, Flag, Flower, Bird and Other Symbols.
SECTION 8-3-105

8-3-105. State bird.

An American icteroid bird (genus Sturnella), the bird commonly known as the meadowlark, is the state bird of Wyoming.
 

Taxonomic Hierarchy of the Western Meadowlark