The western skylark is Oregon’s state bird, found in open fields and agricultural areas. Male birds are polygamous and use display methods during mating season. Their diet consists of various foods, and they have natural predators. The bird was chosen by Oregon school children and is also the state bird of other states.
Oregon’s state bird is the western skylark, which can be found in places such as open fields, dessert prairies, rangelands, and atop fence posts in agricultural areas. It is a songbird with many different complex melodies in its repertoire. This bird ranges from 8.5 to 11 inches (20.32 to 27.94 centimeters) in length, with bright yellow plumage on the breast, marked with a dark V-shaped bib. Both males and females have similar colorations.
During the mating season, male western larks employ several display methods to try and get the attention of females. They puff out their chests to better show off their yellow plumage and flap their wings above their heads. Male western larks are polygamous because they normally have three partners or mates at once. Females nest with the male within the male’s territory.
The Oregon state bird builds its nest with dry grasses and bark, which are woven to blend in with the surrounding vegetation. Western larks’ nests can be brood parasitized by the cowbird, which usually lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. Some birds may remove unwanted eggs or build a new nest altogether. Other bird species may raise cowbirds’ offspring alongside their own.
This bird is omnivorous and its diet consists of spiders, snails, roadkill, grain, seeds, insects, and worms. It feeds on the ground and under loose soil. A batch of eggs is usually between three and seven, with reddish spots on a white background. After the young hatch from their eggs, they reach adulthood in just six short weeks.
The western skylark’s coloration helps it survive in its natural habitat. For example, if it spots a predator while foraging in the ground, it will simply crouch and remain motionless to hide its yellow chest and blend in with the surrounding grass. Its natural predators include hawks, foxes, dogs, cats and skunks. Young western larks have yellow plumage on their breasts, but do not have the characteristic V-shaped dark marking until after their first moult.
The Oregon state bird was chosen by Oregon school children in 1927 under the sponsorship of the Oregon Audubon Society. Without formal legislative action to adopt a state bird, IL Governor Patterson simply issued a proclamation naming the western lark as the state bird of Oregon. The western meadow is also the state bird of other states: Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Montana.
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