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Montana State Bird
Name: Western Meadowlark
Binomial Name: Sturnella neglecta
Adopted: Legislation of 1931
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized blackbird, similar in appearance to the Eastern Meadowlark, that breeds in grasslands, prairie, pastures and abandoned fields, across western and central North America and into northern Mexico.
Adults of the species have yellow underparts with a black V on the breast and white flanks with black streaks. The upperparts are mostly brown with black streaks. Their head is striped with light brown and black and they have a long pointed bill.