What Is Wyoming’s State Bird? How Was It Decided?

Last Updated on Mar 13 2024

Learning the state bird or flower of the state that you live in can be a great way to connect with your surroundings, especially when you find them in the wild. Many people want to know what the state bird of Wyoming is, and the answer is the Western Meadowlark. Keep reading as we take a closer look at this bird to determine when it was awarded with its official title and why. We also discuss what it looks like and where you can find it. 

What Does the Western Meadowlark Look Like?

The Western Meadowlark is easy to identify because it has a bright-yellow breast and belly. It also has yellow patches on their head in front of their eyes and chin. It has a short spiky tail and a sharp pointy beak. It has a brown-and-tan back and wings with black-and-white markings. It also has a black V-shaped band around its neck that almost looks like a painted-on necklace. It can grow up to 10 inches long, with a wingspan that reaches 16 inches.

Western Meadowlark Behavior

The male Western Meadowlark will establish a breeding ground to attract females. He will need to defend the territory for up to a month before any females arrive, and when they do, he will choose two. Both females will construct a nest inside the breeding ground selected, and they have a special song for every activity. Once the females finish the nest and lay their eggs, the male will hunt to feed both spouses and himself, and when the eggs hatch, he will feed the children too. If you see a nest, you must avoid it because the birds will desert it if you get too close.

When Did the Western Meadowlark Become Wyoming’s State Bird?

Wyoming chose the Western Meadowlark as a state bird on February 5, 1927, as part of a resolution. Other states, like Kansas, Oregon, North Dakota, and Montana, also have the Western Meadowlark as their state bird.

Why Did Wyoming Choose the Western Meadowlark as the State Bird?

The people of Wyoming chose the Western Meadowlark as the state bird because it’s prevalent throughout the state and is easy to find. People like how it adds color to the landscape and enjoy watching it fly among the bison and elk that are also popular in the state.

What Do Western Meadowlarks Eat?

The Western Meadowlark is not easy to attract to a backyard feeder because it doesn’t eat seeds unless it has no other choice. Instead, these birds prefer to stick to a diet of beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects. It will dig into the ground in search of food before it visits your feeder full of seeds.

Summary

The people of Wyoming chose the Western Meadowlark as the state bird in 1927. They picked it because it’s prevalent throughout the state and adds color to the otherwise plain landscape. Its bright yellow belly is easy to spot from a distance, and it can be fun to learn its different songs to determine what it’s doing.

You might be interested in:

• What Is New Jersey’s State Bird?
• What Is Oregon’s State Bird?

Featured Image Credit: jmrockeman, Pixabay