
Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Western Meadowlark
Draw a western meadowlark in 14 easy steps, about 11 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the head.
Step 1: The head
Near the top draw a big round head, a little wider than tall, with a smooth top.
Tip A meadowlark's head is smooth and a bit flat on top.
Step 2: Long sharp beak
From the head's front draw a long sharp beak, out to a point and back. Add a middle line.
Tip Make it long and pointy, like a pencil tip.
Step 3: One big eye
A finger behind the beak draw a big round eye. Add a black dot and a shine.
Tip Keep the eye white when you colour.
Step 4: Striped head
Draw a line over the eye from front to back for a cap. Add a pointed stripe behind the eye.
Tip The cap line starts and stops on the edge of the head.
Step 5: Plump body
Start on the back of the head. Curve down, round a fat belly, and up to stop under the beak.
Tip The body is a plump egg under the head, narrower than the head.
Step 6: Short tail
From the bird's bottom draw a short fan tail pointing down and back. Add 2 feather lines.
Step 7: Folded wing
Start under the back of the head. Draw a teardrop wing sweeping back to a point just above the tail.
Step 8: V on the chest
On the chest draw a big V from the tummy line to the wing. Draw a smaller V inside it.
Tip The small V hangs from under the head. The bold V bib is the meadowlark's give-away.
Step 9: Front leg and toes
Start at the front of the tummy. Draw a short leg down and 3 chubby toes, stopping on the tummy.
Tip Two toes point forward, one back, ready to grip the branch.
Step 10: Back leg and toes
A thumb behind the first leg draw another leg and toes the same way, from the tummy back to it.
Tip Leave a gap between the 2 feet. Both sit at the same height.
Step 11: The branch
From the left edge below the toes draw a long level branch across, round the end, and back left.
Step 12: Yellow face and tummy
Colour the face, throat and tummy yellow, going around the V and the wing. Colour the beak grey.
Step 13: Brown cap and wing
Colour the cap, eye stripe, wing, tail and branch brown. Colour the legs and toes pale pink.
Step 14: Black V
Colour the V on the chest black. Go over your lines and your meadowlark is done!

Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a western meadowlark, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
