The Story
This Red-breasted Meadowlark (Leistes militaris) was at Reserva Natural La Palmita in Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia when I photographed it. The Red-breasted Meadowlark is a gregarious bird that feeds mainly on insects and some seeds, foraging on the ground. The male is mainly black, with a bright red throat, belly and shoulder patches. It has benefited from the open habitat created by forest clearing and ranching, and it is extending its range. La Palmita’s research center has recorded 250 bird species and 39 bat species in the flooded savannas of Trinidad. IUCN lists the Red-breasted Meadowlark as Least Concern, with an increasing population.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600. La Palmita’s research center also monitors the savanna’s birds and mammals and rehabilitates and releases wildlife rescued from illegal trafficking.
©2019 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Red-breasted Meadowlark (Leistes militaris) belongs to the family Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2020), with the population trend listed as increasing. Source: IUCN Red List
