The western skylark is Nebraska’s state bird, adopted in 1929. It is a large songbird found in North American grasslands, with a distinctive black “V” on its yellow neck and chest. The bird is omnivorous and nests on the ground, with a long incubation period. Its natural predators include hawks, crows, coyotes, and raccoons, and it faces threats from agricultural activity. Despite a small population decline, the western skylark remains abundant and is considered a species of least concern by the IUCN.
Nebraska’s state bird is the western skylark, Sturnella neglecta. This large songbird was adopted as the state bird by a joint resolution of the Nebraska Legislature on March 22, 1929. The western skylark is a common sight on the grasslands and prairies of North America. It can be easily identified by its yellow neck and chest, adorned with a distinctive black “V”. The Nebraska state bird is also prized for its flute-like, varied, multi-note song.
At maturity, the western skylark is about 8-11 inches long (about 20-28 cm) and weighs about 3-4 ounces (about 85-113 g). The Nebraska state bird has a long, pointed bill, long legs, and a short tail. Its head has black and white stripes, while its wings are mostly tan with black spots. The cheek, neck and chest are all bright yellow, with a black “V” highlighting the chest. Along its flanks, the western lark’s feathers are white with black spots.
Its nests are generally made up of dry grass, built at ground level, and are woven into the vegetation of grasslands and fallow fields. The western skylark usually provides at least partial grass cover for its nest, although some are completely enclosed and have a long entrance tunnel. Three to seven white speckled eggs are laid at a time and have an incubation period of about two weeks. The male usually has more than one mate at a time and plays a less involved role than the female in caring for the young.
The Nebraska state bird is a land hunter and is uniquely suited to life on the prairie. It generally feeds from the surface, but can probe below with its long, pointed bill. This bird is omnivorous, although the majority of its diet consists of insects, worms and snails. Wheat and weed seeds make up the rest. In the winter months, herd feeding is common.
Natural predators of the western lark include hawks, crows, coyotes, and raccoons. Nesting in areas of high agricultural activity also pose a threat to the Nebraska state bird. A small decline in its population has been noted; however, the bird’s numbers remain abundant throughout its natural range. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) considers the western skylark to be a critically endangered species, placing it in the category of least concern.
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