A couple of Meadowlarks

Both flavors, from two different trips this spring.

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Western Meadowlark

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Eastern Meadowlark

Nice shots. Since they are both singing, did you make the IDs by sound?

Thanks. I did hear them, which makes it easy, but there are some subtle visual differences. The malar stripe is yellow on the Western and white on the Eastern, and the head and face markings on the Eastern are a bit darker.

kd_reno wrote in post #18394824
Thanks. I did hear them, which makes it easy, but there are some subtle visual differences. The malar stripe is yellow on the Western and white on the Eastern, and the head and face markings on the Eastern are a bit darker.

Lovely shots, and you're right about those subtle differences! Occasionally a Western will show up here in Ohio.

Thanks. The Eastern was in Galveston where there is definitely overlap. The Western was in Badlands NP (SD), not too far outside the range maps I've seen for Eastern. So I'm glad I heard them. Lots of Westerns here in NV - I've never managed to get close enough for a decent shot, but I know what they sound like.

great shots- I can't see much difference but appreciate the comparison shot. I love meadowlarks

Thanks. I doubt I could separate them in the field with the bird moving around.