Demography and Populations

There are no detailed studies for Chihuahuan Meadowlark, however, similarities to Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) and Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) are expected.

Age At First Breeding

In other meadowlarks, both sexes breed during their second year, at 10-11 months old (37 Lanyon, W. E. (1957). The comparative biology of the meadowlarks (Sturnella) in Wisconsin. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. No. 1. Cambridge, MA. Close ).

Clutch Size and Number of Clutches per Season

Probably similar to Eastern Meadowlark and Western Meadowlark with several clutches but few successfully fledged young per year and clutch size varying from 2–7 eggs (37 Lanyon, W. E. (1957). The comparative biology of the meadowlarks (Sturnella) in Wisconsin. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. No. 1. Cambridge, MA. Close ).

Annual and Lifetime Reproductive Success

Has not been studied.

Has not been studied. Possibly similar to other meadowlarks which show lifespans up to 9-10 years old (49 Kennard, J. H. (1975). Longevity records of North American birds. Bird-Banding 46 (1):55-73. Close , 50 Klimkiewicz, K., and A. G. Futcher (1987). Longevity records of North American birds: Coerebinae through Estrildidae. Journal of Field Ornithology 58: 318–333. Close , 51 Bird Banding Laboratory (2021). Longevity records of North American birds. Version 2021.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Laurel, MD, USA. Close ).

Has not been studied.

More information needed. In Western Meadowlark, deaths from drowning in a stock tank have been reported (52 Chilgren, J. D. (1979). Drowning of grassland birds in stock tanks. Wilson Bulletin 91:345-346. Close ), as well as human and animal predation (37 Lanyon, W. E. (1957). The comparative biology of the meadowlarks (Sturnella) in Wisconsin. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. No. 1. Cambridge, MA. Close , 6 Bent, A. C. (1958). Life histories of North American blackbirds, orioles, tanagers, and their allies. United States National Museum Bulletin 211. Close ).

Information needed.

Numbers

No population estimates known for species as a whole, however Chihuahuan Meadowlark has an estimated population size of 240,000 in Arizona (53 Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative and Sonoran Joint Venture. 2019. Eastern “Lilian’s” Meadowlark (Sturnella magna lilianae) Species Account. Close ). Comprehensive breeding bird survey data is needed for this species.

Trends

Trends for Chihuahuan Meadowlark are incomplete, however current data shows the species is declining in New Mexico and the Chihuahuan Desert (53 Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative and Sonoran Joint Venture. 2019. Eastern “Lilian’s” Meadowlark (Sturnella magna lilianae) Species Account. Close ).

Has not been studied in Chihuahuan Meadowlark.