meadowlark; field lark
Refers to birds of the genus Sturnella, especially the Eastern or Western meadowlark. A specific bird name, not a general term for larks in meadows.
The meadowlark's song echoed across the grassland.
Katakana spelling is standard for this bird name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; learners will almost always encounter the katakana form.
Compound of 牧場 (makiba, 'pasture, meadow') and 鳥 (tori, 'bird'), literally 'meadow bird'. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it is a calque or translation of the English 'meadowlark'.