The western meadowlark was designated the official state bird of Montana in 1931 - chosen by Montana's school children (overwhelmingly) to represent the state . The Western Meadowlark is a familiar songbird of open country across the western two-thirds of the continent.

In the same family as blackbirds and orioles, adults have a black and white striped head; long, pointed bill; yellow cheeks; bright yellow throat; and a distinctive black "V" on breast. The western meadowlark is often seen perched on fence-posts in grasslands and agricultural areas singing its distinct 7-10 note melody (their flute-like song usually ends with 3 descending notes).

Western meadowlarks forage on the ground and beneath the soil for insects, grain and weed seeds (it's estimated that at least 65-70% of their diet consists of beetles, cutworms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, sow bugs, and snails). They also nest on the ground - constructing a cup of dried grasses and bark woven into the surrounding vegetation. This nest may be open or have a partial or full grass roof, and sometimes a grass entry tunnel several feet long.

Predators include hawks, crows, skunks, coyotes, raccoons, and weasels. Western meadowlarks are still abundant but declining throughout their range; they are a protected non-game species.

Source:

State Bird (Western Meadowlark: Montana Kids
Western Meadowlark: Idaho Museum of Natural History
Western Meadowlark: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Western Meadowlark photo © Richard Mousel /CritterZone:
Copyrighted image - no use allowed without a license
(contact CritterZone for commercial application license)

Links:

State Birds - 50 states List
National Bird