Red-breasted Meadowlark Leistes militaris

This attractive meadowlark is found in open fields. It often perches conspicuously atop grasses or small bushes. Male is unmistakable, mostly black with bright red breast and throat. Female is less obvious. She is brown and streaky, but look for the sharply pointed bill (like a blackbird), overall buffy brown coloration, and brown-and-buff stripes on head. The streaking is mostly concentrated on the sides of the breast and flanks, not in the middle of the breast and belly. Listen for song: several metallic chips followed by a raspy buzz.