The meadowlark, represented by both the Eastern and Western species, is a common bird across North America’s open country. Finding their nesting site is difficult because they are obligate ground nesters, building their entire home on the earth. This location makes their nests vulnerable, requiring the female to employ sophisticated concealment strategies. Their nesting habits are similar across both species, focusing on blending seamlessly into the dense vegetation of their preferred habitats. The secretive nature of the nest is a primary survival adaptation against predators.
Selecting the Ground Location
Meadowlarks select nesting locations deep within large, open habitats such as native grasslands, prairies, and agricultural areas like hayfields and pastures. They also utilize grassy roadsides and abandoned fields. The requirement for a successful nest is dense, undisturbed vegetative cover, which acts as both camouflage and a structural anchor.
The female chooses a slight ground depression, such as a natural hollow or a footprint left by livestock, which provides a sheltered base for the nest cup. She seeks areas where surrounding grasses are standing tall, often preferring vegetation roughly 10 to 20 inches high.
This dense, tall cover is integral to the nest’s construction, not merely for concealment. The surrounding vegetation is woven into the structure, ensuring the home is completely hidden from above. The nest is rarely found in open dirt, but rather nestled at the base of a thick clump of grass or other sturdy plants.
Nest Architecture and Materials
The female solely performs the construction of the nest, taking approximately four to eight days to complete. The foundation is a cup-shaped structure woven primarily from coarse, dry grasses and tough plant stems. This cup is typically four to five inches across and two to three inches deep.
For comfort and insulation, the cup is lined with finer materials, such as softer grasses, delicate plant fibers, or animal hair. The most distinctive feature is the roof, which is a common adaptation for protection, though not present in all nests.
This roof, or dome, is created by weaving the surrounding vegetation and nest materials over the top of the cup. This creates a sheltered structure that sheds water and obscures the contents from view. The final specialized element is a small, camouflaged side entrance or short tunnel, sometimes called a runway, which allows the female to enter and exit without revealing the exact location.
The Annual Nesting Cycle
The meadowlark’s breeding season spans from late spring through mid-summer, generally beginning in April and continuing into July. Once the nest is complete, the female lays a clutch of eggs, usually numbering between three and five, though two to seven eggs are possible.
She incubates the eggs for approximately 13 to 16 days. The young hatch mostly naked and helpless, and the female is responsible for the majority of feeding and brooding duties. The nestling period is short, as the young are adapted to leave their vulnerable ground nest quickly.
The young fledge about 10 to 12 days after hatching, even before they are capable of sustained flight. Their strong legs allow them to run and hide in the dense grass while they continue to be fed by the parents for up to two more weeks. Meadowlarks often attempt to raise two broods during a single season, particularly in warmer, southern regions.