Introduction

The Western Meadowlark is one of our most abundant and widely distributed birds, inhabiting open country from meadows and cultivated fields of the north central United States to tidal flats along the Pacific Ocean, from the Mexican plateau to prairies of southern Canada, and from sea level to mountain meadows at 12,000 feet. Its frequent roadside occurrence, colorful plumage, and melodious song make it one of our most popular birds; no fewer than six states have it as their state bird.

Although the Western Meadowlark was known to explorers Lewis and Clark, John James Audubon was impressed with the degree to which it had subsequently been overlooked and gave the bird its Latin name (Sturnella neglecta). His report (1844) of a meadowlark west of the Mississippi similar in appearance but differing in voice from the familiar Eastern Meadowlark (S. magna) triggered a debate over the status of these birds that lasted for another century. Studies of their morphology, ecology, and behavior in regions of sympatry from Texas to Ontario revealed little or no evidence of interbreeding and one of the first cases of interspecific territoriality among North American birds. Subsequent research with captive birds demonstrated a high incidence of hybrid sterility.

Although a gifted songster, the Western Meadowlark is not a lark (Family Alaudidae) but related instead to New World blackbirds and troupials (Family Emberizidae, subfamily Icterinae). It is easily recognized as a meadowlark by its white tail margins and yellow breast with V-shaped black bib, but separation from the Eastern Meadowlark in the field is difficult except by species-specific songs and calls.