The former has a simple four-note whistle and the latter an intricate fluting. As the state bird of several western states, this is a popular and familiar songbird for many birders, but there are many more facts to learn about the western meadowlark than just its pretty song. Bonding pairs of the Western variety fly in a chase formation that is usually initiated, and the speed of which determined, by the female Meadowlark. Interesting Facts about the WESTERN MEADOWLARK. His peculiar flight habits, several short, rapid wing beats alternated with brief periods of sailing, also make the western meadowlark very recognizable. Adults have yellow underparts with a black "V" on the breast and white flanks with black streaks. Where both species occur together in winter flocks, the Western can be told by its paler back and tail. Remarkably similar to the Eastern Meadowlark in colors and pattern, this bird is recognized by its very different song and callnotes. The western meadowlark is named for its beautiful warbling song but in fact it is a member of the blackbird family, Icteridae, not the lark family or the warbler family.
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Meadowlarks consume insects in summer and weed seeds in fall and winter. Bottom part of the body is bright yellow, with black V-shaped mark on the chest. Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) -- Common and similar to Eastern Meadowlark in plumage, habits, and habitat, but yellow of the throat extends farther onto the cheek. Western Meadowlark – Despite their name, the range of this species also overlaps into parts of the eastern United States. Thus, they overlap with Eastern Meadowlark populations, but do not interbreed frequently. Interesting Eastern meadowlark Facts: Eastern meadowlark can reach 7.5 to 10.2 inches in length and 3.2 to 5.3 ounces of weight. Eastern meadowlark has brown backs with black streaks and bars on the wings and tail. The sweet, lazy whistles of Eastern Meadowlarks waft over summer grasslands and farms in eastern North America. The two species of meadowlarks evidently can easily recognize their own kind the same way; even where their ranges overlap in the Midwest and Southwest, they almost never interbreed. This species derives its English name from it apparently having fun (larking) in the openness of sparse trees (meadow). The nest is a grass dome hidden in… Western Meadowlark Even after Lewis reported the new species, most scientists didn't care about the Western Meadowlarks. The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized blackbird, very similar in appearance to the Eastern Meadowlark..
His peculiar flight habits, several short, rapid wing beats alternated with brief periods of sailing, also make the western meadowlark very recognizable. Nests are built on the ground and covered with a roof made of grass, making them well-camouflaged. The western meadowlark is named for its beautiful warbling song but in fact it is a member of the blackbird family, Icteridae, not the lark family or the warbler family.As the state bird of several western states, this is a popular and familiar songbird for many birders, but there are many more facts to learn about the western meadowlark than just its pretty song. Males are slightly larger than females. A male usually has two mates at the same time. The southwestern form of eastern meadowlark (known as the “Lilian’s”) is even more similar to the western than the more widespread eastern forms due to its pale plumage.
The Western Meadowlark is the state bird of six states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. These birds are robin-sized, about 8 to 11 inches long.
Other articles where Western meadowlark is discussed: meadowlark: …eastern Canada to Brazil, the western meadowlark (S. neglecta) from western Canada to Mexico (introduced to Hawaii). The Western Meadowlark was first described in 1844 by Audubon. Although it looks nearly identical to the Eastern Meadowlark, the two species rarely hybridize.