The Western Meadowlark is a beloved and iconic bird in Oregon, even serving as the state bird! While both sexes share the distinctive meadowlark pattern, there are subtle differences in their appearance, particularly in their breeding plumage.

Overall Appearance (Both Male and Female Western Meadowlarks):
Size and Shape: They are medium-sized, chunky songbirds, about the size of a robin but with a shorter tail, flat head, and a long, pointed bill. They have a characteristic "round-shouldered" posture that can make their neck appear almost absent.
Upperparts: Their backs and wings are a mottled pattern of brown, black, and buff, providing excellent camouflage in grasslands.
Underparts: The most striking feature is their bright golden-yellow breast and belly.
Black "V" on the Chest: A prominent black V-shaped band crosses the bright yellow breast. This "necklace" is a key identification mark.
Head: They have distinct stripes of dark brown and light buff on their heads.
Tail: Their tails are relatively short, stiff, and spiky, with white outer tail feathers that flash conspicuously when they fly, particularly during their low, stiff-winged flights.
Bill: A long, slender, and pointed bill, which they use for "gaping" – inserting it into the soil or other substrates and forcing it open to access hidden insects and seeds.

Male Western Meadowlark (Breeding Plumage - Spring/Summer):
Vibrancy: Males generally exhibit brighter and more intense yellow on their underparts, and the black "V" on their chest is bolder and more sharply defined than in females.
Singing: Males are the primary singers, perched conspicuously on fence posts, shrubs, or power lines, delivering their distinctive, flutelike, bubbling song to attract mates and defend territory. This singing behavior often makes them easier to spot during the breeding season.
Behavior: They are often seen performing "jump flights" or chasing away intruders from their territory.

Female Western Meadowlark (Breeding Plumage - Spring/Summer):
Duller Coloration: Females are generally slightly duller in overall plumage compared to males. The yellow on their breast and belly may be a bit paler, and the black "V" on their chest might be less intensely black and not as sharply defined.
Nest Building and Incubation: Females are solely responsible for building the nest, which is a well-hidden, often domed, cup-shaped structure on the ground, woven from grasses. They also do all the incubation of the eggs.
Parental Care: While males may assist with feeding the young, the female takes on the primary role in brooding and feeding the nestlings.

Non-breeding/Winter Plumage (Both Sexes):
In winter, both sexes become somewhat duller. The yellow on the underparts becomes paler, and the black "V" on the chest may be less prominent, appearing more brownish or grayish. The upperparts also tend to be more streaked.

Habitat in Oregon:
Western Meadowlarks are birds of open country, and in Oregon, you'll find them in:
Grasslands and prairies: Their preferred habitat, including native prairies.
Meadows: Both natural and those found in agricultural settings.
Agricultural fields: Especially hayfields, pastures, and fields with low-growing crops.
Shrub-steppe: Areas with scattered shrubs and grasses, particularly in eastern Oregon.
Along marshes and road edges: Where there's open ground and low vegetation.

They are ground-foraging birds that walk or run through the grass, probing with their bills for insects (especially in summer) and seeds (more so in fall and winter). Their iconic song is a hallmark of Oregon's open landscapes.