Food Habits of the Meadowlark in the Everglades in Relation to Agriculture1, 2

While southern meadowlark Sturnella magna argutulla (Bangs) does destroy sprouting corn, both stomach contents analysis and field observations show that these birds are largely beneficial. Major stomach components include: billbugs (Curculionidae), Prosapia bicincta (Say), Mocis latipes. (Guenee), cutworms (Agrotinae), grasshoppers (Acrididae), and click beetles and wireworms (Elateridae). Beneficials were relatively light in these contents. In addition to corn, vegetable matter included small amounts of grass seed (Paspalum) and dayflower seed (Commelina diffusa (Burm.) F.). Based on observations of meadowlark habits, non-lethal remedial action is suggested. Shooting the birds should be a last resort.