The Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized songbird found throughout the western United States and Canada. In Oregon, Western meadowlarks can be found in open grasslands, meadows, and prairies across most of the state. They are a familiar sight and sound of Oregon’s countryside from late spring through summer.
Western Meadowlark Habitat
Western meadowlarks prefer large open areas with tall grasses and scattered shrubs. Their ideal habitat consists of native grasslands or lightly grazed pastures. They avoid areas with extensive woody vegetation as it impedes their ground-foraging behavior.
Some key features of quality Western meadowlark habitat include:
– Abundant grasses and wildflowers – They nest and forage on the ground among dense, tall grasses and herbaceous plants. Areas with a diversity of native grasses, sedges, and wildflowers are ideal.
– Well-drained soils – They prefer upland sites with loamy, sandy, or gravelly soils. Wet areas are generally unsuitable.
– Moderate vegetation height – Grasses and forbs of 10-30 inches provide sufficient cover for nesting and foraging. Overly short vegetation provides inadequate concealment while very tall, dense vegetation makes movement difficult.
– Sparse shrubs – Scattered shrubs serve as song perches but extensive shrubs crowd out necessary grasses and forbs. Shrub cover should be less than 30%.
– Infrequent disturbance – Moderate levels of grazing, fire, or mowing helps maintain suitable vegetation structure. However, frequent or intense disturbance negatively impacts nesting and foraging.
In Oregon, large tracts of native prairie and sagebrush steppe habitats provide excellent Western meadowlark habitat. Pastures, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields, meadows, grass seed fields, and wetland buffers also offer suitable habitat when properly managed.
Western Meadowlark Distribution in Oregon
Western meadowlarks reside throughout most of Oregon during their breeding season from early spring through late summer. Their distribution and abundance depend largely on the presence of suitable grassland habitats.
A few key patterns in their distribution include:
– Most abundant east of the Cascades – The expansive native shrubsteppe and grassland habitats of central and eastern Oregon support the state’s highest breeding densities.
– Present in valley bottoms statewide – Scattered grasslands in valley bottoms west of the Cascades provide habitat for smaller breeding populations.
– Very limited on forested coast – Little suitable habitat occurs in the dense coastal forests of northwestern Oregon.
– Widespread in Willamette Valley – Extensive agriculture and pasture lands provide habitat across this region.
– Abundant in Klamath Basin – Areas around Upper Klamath Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge have excellent habitat.
– Common in northeastern wetlands – Breeds around wetland complexes in Union and Wallowa counties.
– Numerous in Columbia Basin – Open shrubsteppe areas of the Columbia Plateau support many breeding meadowlarks.
During the non-breeding season from fall through early spring, Western meadowlarks retract from higher elevations and many parts of eastern Oregon. They concentrate in larger flocks at lower elevations west of the Cascades.
Habitats Used in Oregon
Western meadowlarks utilize a diversity of open grassland and shrub habitats across Oregon during breeding. Key habitats include:
Native Prairie and Shrubsteppe
These arid native plant communities provide ideal structure and composition for meadowlarks. Vegetation is characterized by scattered shrubs, diverse grasses/forbs, and well-drained soils. Major examples include:
– Zumwalt Prairie – Largest remnant prairie in Oregon with over 30,000 acres north of Enterprise. Supports several hundred breeding pairs.
– Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge – Shrubsteppe plateaus with a robust meadowlark population northwest of Lakeview.
– Steens Mountain – Extensive meadowlark habitat across upland plateaus and valleys of this southeast Oregon landmark.
– Malheur National Wildlife Refuge – Sagebrush steppe areas of this refuge harbor many breeding meadowlarks.
Pastures
Lightly grazed pastures with a mix of grasses, legumes, and weeds offer excellent surrogate meadowlark habitat throughout Oregon’s agricultural valleys. Higher densities occur in larger pastures further from forested areas.
Hayfields & Grass Seed Fields
Meadowlarks nest and forage in hayfields and grass seed production fields where vegetation meets height and density requirements. Most breeding occurs before the first cutting of hay.
Wetland Buffers
Upland buffers around wetlands, if comprised of grasses, are frequently used by meadowlarks for nesting and foraging. Wet meadows themselves are generally not suitable.
Meadows
Mountain and foothill meadows with rich soils and abundant wildflowers can support locally dense concentrations of breeding meadowlarks. Subalpine meadows are inhabited only during migration.
CRP Lands
Retired farmlands replanted to native grasses under the Conservation Reserve Program provide surrogate meadowlark habitat in many areas.
Grasslands
Any large grassy area like airports, golf courses, cemeteries, open parks, and school fields may be utilized by Western meadowlarks if adequate vegetation structure is present.
Recent Burns
Breeding meadowlarks will temporarily utilize large burned areas that have resprouted abundant grasses and forbs.
Seasonal Habitat Use
The habitats used by Western meadowlarks in Oregon varies considerably by season:
Breeding (March to August)
During breeding, meadowlarks seek out habitats that provide nesting cover and abundant insects for raising young. Low elevation native prairies and pastures are used extensively.
Fall Migration (September to November)
Meadowlarks migrate from higher elevation breeding sites to lower elevation grasslands west of the Cascades. Fields, pastures, and wetland buffers see increased usage during migration.
Winter (December to February)
Meadowlarks overwinter in large resident flocks in open grassy habitats at low-middle elevations west of the Cascades. Pastures and wetland buffers provide important wintering areas.
Spring Migration (March to April)
Meadowlarks return to inland breeding areas, stopping in western valleys for food resources. Fields and pastures are important migratory staging areas.
Population and Conservation
It is estimated that Oregon is home to approximately 160,000 breeding Western meadowlarks. Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data indicates populations declined by 2-3% annually statewide from 1968 to 2015. This reflects the extensive loss of native prairie and steppe habitats.
However, meadowlarks remain common and widespread across most suitable habitats in Oregon. Their adaptability to utilize pastures, CRP lands, and wetland buffers helped buffer habitat losses. Continued conservation and appropriate management of grassland habitats will be important to maintaining viable populations.
Conclusion
Western meadowlarks occur as summer breeding residents across much of Oregon wherever suitable grassland habitats exist. They are found in native prairies and shrubsteppes east of the Cascades, throughout the Willamette Valley, and in meadows, pastures, and wetland buffers statewide. During winter, most meadowlarks migrate to lower elevations west of the Cascades. Conservation of prairie habitats and sensitive grazing of pastures is important to preserve populations of this iconic grassland bird in Oregon.