Eastern Meadowlark – Kingsville, TX

We watched this Eastern Meadowlark in the grasslands near Kingsville, Texas land on the barbed wire. Its bright yellow underparts and black “V” across the chest stood out against the prairie grass. The heavily streaked back and patterned head helped it blend into the open fields when perched low in the stubble. Eastern Meadowlarks have a rich, clear whistle that often sounds like a short flute phrase. This species preferred open rangeland and roadside fences, making South Texas one of the best places to study its behavior and listen to its distinctive song. This bird is in nonbreeding, or wintering, plumage. The feathers change in the summer months and the black “V” becomes solid and bold.