Red-breasted meadowlark

The red-breasted meadowlark is a passerine bird in the New World family Icteridae. It was formerly named red-breasted blackbird but is not closely related to the red-winged blackbird group.

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Distribution

Region

Northern South America and Panama

Typical Environment

Occurs from Panama through Colombia and Venezuela to the Guianas and northern and central Brazil, also present on Trinidad. It favors open grasslands, savannas, wetlands edges, rice fields, and grazed pastures. Frequently uses human-modified landscapes with scattered shrubs or fence lines for perching. Avoids dense forests and very arid scrub but occupies seasonally flooded plains and damp meadows.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size18–20 cm

Wing Span30–35 cm

Male Weight0.055 kg

Female Weight0.05 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

This striking icterid of open country is often seen perched on fence posts and tall grasses, flashing its vivid red underparts. Males sing from exposed perches and perform short display flights over territories. Nests are typically cup-shaped and placed low or on the ground, hidden in tussocks. The species has adapted well to pastures and agricultural fields, and in some areas has expanded with land clearing.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights over grass

Social Behavior

Breeding birds form pairs, with males defending small territories from exposed song perches. The nest is a grass-lined cup placed low in dense vegetation or on the ground. Outside the breeding season, they often gather in small flocks and may mix with other icterids in feeding areas.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a series of bright, whistled notes and buzzy phrases delivered from a prominent perch. Calls include sharp chips and a dry rattle, often given in flight or during displays.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Male is mostly black with a brilliant red throat, breast, and belly; wings and back are glossy black. Female is brown and heavily streaked above and below with buffy tones, offering strong camouflage in grasses. Both sexes have a fairly stout, pointed bill suited for gleaning on the ground.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Feeds mainly on insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, along with spiders and other small invertebrates. It also takes seeds and grains, especially in agricultural fields, and occasionally small fruits. Foraging is mostly on the ground, probing and gleaning among grasses and stubble.

Preferred Environment

Most often seen in short to medium grasslands, pastures, and along wet meadow margins. It readily uses rice fields and fallow farmland, especially where there are scattered perches like posts or shrubs.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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