Western Meadowlark

Sturnella neglecta

Audubon Illustration

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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About the Western Meadowlark

The western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized icterid bird, about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. It is found across western and central North America and is a partial migrant, breeding in western Canada and western United States west of the Great Lakes, and in northern Mexico. In the northern half of the breeding range, the birds migrate south for the winter, while further south they are resident all year. The winter range also extends south and southeast of the breeding range, as far as central Mexico, and east to western Florida. The western meadowlark nests on the ground in open grasslands and shrublands. It feeds on bugs and seeds.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Sturnella neglecta
Family: Troupials and Allies
Order: Passeriformes

Similar species

Other members of the troupials and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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