eastern meadowlark, credit: Laura Parshall CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Threatened Provincially and Nationally

Description

• Medium-sized migratory songbird with bright yellow throat and belly, black “V” on breast and white flanks with black streaks; brown back with black streaks;
light brown and black striped head; pinkish legs
• Breeds in moderately tall grasslands, alfalfa fields, weedy borders of croplands, roadsides, orchards, airports and other open areas
• Population in Ontario decreased by almost 65 percent during the past 40 years

Range

• In Ontario, primarily found south of the Canadian Shield but also inhabits Lake Nipissing and Lake of the Woods areas

Threats

• Habitat loss and degradation
• Pesticides

Protection

• Provincially protected under the Endangered Species Act, 2007
• Federally protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

Fact

The eastern meadowlark’s population in Ontario decreased by almost 65 percent during the past 40 years.