So today I figured I’d actually go see some meadowlarks for myself, you know? Heard about ’em, never really paid attention. Grabbed my worn-out hiking boots, a notebook that’s seen better days, and a pair of cheap binoculars I keep forgetting how to focus properly. Figured the field behind Miller’s old farm – where the grass grows wild – might be a good spot. No fancy plan, just headed out.
The Sneaky Finding Part
Took me a good hour of just wandering around, kicking clumps of dirt. These birds are tricky. Thought I saw a flash of yellow? Nah, just a dried-up leaf blowing past my ankle. Heard a short whistle? Sounded more like a squeaky gate hinge. Was starting to think this was a dumb idea, honestly. Sat my butt down on a mostly-dry patch of ground near a scraggly bush, kinda discouraged.
Then, bam! Real whistle. Clear and sharp, like someone whistling at their dog. Right near that bush! Peeked super slow through the binocs – still blurry – and there it was. Perched kinda sideways on a thick weed stalk. Yellow belly? Check. Black V on the chest? Like someone painted it. Had no clue they sat like that! Meadowlark! Scrawled a wobbly circle in my notebook and called it “Bird 1”.
Watching & Getting Weird Looks
Decided to just stay put and watch that bush area. Tried not to blink too loud. Saw more flashes of yellow moving low in the long grass. They weren’t exactly shy about being in the field, but good luck spotting one when it stopped moving. Blended right into the brown and gold like they were made of it.
Started noticing how they walked. Not hopping, like sparrows. More like… strutting? Quick steps, head jerking forward. Followed one fella doing this:
- Poke head up sharp above the grass.
- Look left, look right.
- Dart forward low for a few feet.
- Stop. Repeat.
Looked like a mini-feathered spy dodging imaginary lasers. Saw one stab its beak hard into the dirt near a clump of grass roots. Came back up with some wiggly little brown thing. Lunch!
The Big Food Reveal (Wasn’t That Impressive)
Okay, so what do they actually eat? Mostly watched ’em pecking around the ground. Saw them pulling up:
- Tiny crawling bugs (beetles maybe?).
- Little worms when the ground was softer near a ditch.
- Seeds! Yeah, boring old seeds from the grass heads.
Not exactly thrilling fine dining. More like a “grab whatever snacks are lying around” kinda bird. Watched one pluck a seed off a stalk, give it a good whack against a stone (probably cracking it open?), then swallow it down. Efficient little guys, I guess.
Most interesting? Found a pile of bird poop – looked like splattered white paint with dark bits. Kinda gross, but poked it gently with a stick (do not recommend). Could see the dark bits were bug shells and seed husks. Nature’s leftovers, right there. Proof they eat mostly bugs and seeds.
Ending Up Covered in Grass
Sat there way longer than I planned. Boots got damp from the morning dew still hiding in the shade. Notebook pages got crumpled. Learned the hard way that a meadowlark flying off suddenly sounds exactly like someone ripping thick cloth really fast – scared the heck out of me first time it happened nearby.
Main things I figured out:
- They live in wide open fields with long grass and low bushes.
- They hide stupidly well until they whistle or move.
- They eat mostly creepy-crawlies and whatever seeds are handy.
- Patience is key. And dry socks.
Not exactly rocket science, but felt good to see it myself for once. Maybe next time I’ll actually remember how to focus the binoculars.
