Peruvian Meadowlark
Leistes bellicosus
Peruvian Meadowlark (Leistes bellicosus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Peruvian Meadowlark (Leistes bellicosus) is a member of the Icteridae family found in South America. Adults weigh 58 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Icteridae Oropendolas, New World Orioles, Blackbirds
- Genus Leistes
- Species bellicosus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 58 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Icteridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Peruvian Meadowlark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Peruvian Meadowlark is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Peruvian Meadowlark (Leistes bellicosus) is a species of bird in the Icteridae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA far sw Colombia to far nw Chile.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 58 g, with a wing length of about 11 cm and a tail of around 7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 351,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Peruvian Meadowlark?
The Peruvian Meadowlark is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 58 g.
Where does the Peruvian Meadowlark live?
The Peruvian Meadowlark is found across South America with a range covering SA far sw Colombia to far nw Chile, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Peruvian Meadowlark belong to?
The Peruvian Meadowlark (Leistes bellicosus) belongs to the Icteridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Peruvian Meadowlark eat?
The Peruvian Meadowlark is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Peruvian Meadowlark migrate?
The Peruvian Meadowlark is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Peruvian Meadowlark endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Peruvian Meadowlark make?
1 real field recording of the Peruvian Meadowlark — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Peruvian Meadowlark's range?
The Peruvian Meadowlark has a mapped global range of about 351,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Icteridae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Extinct
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.