Montana’s state bird is the western skylark, a medium-sized songbird with a distinctive V-shaped marking on its chest. It mainly eats insects and seeds and is protected in Montana. Male skylarks have two mates and females build elaborate nests for their three to six eggs. The western lark is different from the darker eastern lark and populations are relatively stable.
Chosen by children in 1931, Montana’s state bird is the western skylark, or Sturnella neglecta. A medium-sized songbird, the skylark shares its family with orioles and blackbirds. This bird ranges across much of the western and Midwestern United States as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.
The western skylark measures between 6.3 and 10.2 inches (16 to 26 cm) long and weighs 3 to 4 ounces (89 to 115 g). With a sharp, pointed bill, the bird has a brown or gray mottled back and wings, and black and white stripes on its head. The most distinctive part of these birds, however, is the bold V-shaped marking on the chest. The state bird of Montana emits whistles that alternate between a series of flute-like and gurgling notes.
Living on farmland and grasslands, western larks are land gatherers. These birds mainly eat insects, but they also consume seeds. To help protect it from predators, the skylark usually eats under ground cover of foliage. Large birds, such as hawks and crows, as well as raccoons, coyotes, and other small to medium-sized mammals, prey on larks.
Male western larks usually have two mates, and thus two separate broods, during a year. While the males do not contribute to nest building or egg incubation, they do protect the nest from other birds or predators. Before finding a nesting area, males fight over a specific piece of territory.
Female western larks build cup-shaped nests out of bark and dry grass. Nests are often elaborate, featuring full or partial roofs and covered entrance galleries. Females lay three to six eggs, which are incubated for about 12 days. Young are born with scant feathers, making complex nests essential for their survival.
While not a game species, the Montana state bird still enjoys the benefit of being protected in that state. This means that it is illegal to harm birds in any way. Although populations are slowly declining, western lark numbers are still relatively stable and abundant.
The western lark is very similar to the darker eastern lark. Indeed, there was some discrepancy as to whether the two were actually the same species. While they occasionally breed in areas where the species’ ranges overlap, they produce little or no viable offspring. This basic infertility indicates that the Montana state bird and the eastern lark are indeed different species.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
