Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) Icteridae
April 2, 2016
Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge
Robert Niese
I could photograph and listen to these birds singing all day! Unfortunately, not everyone in the car felt the same way and I only had a single joyous hour with this little guy. Learn more about the “neglected” Western Meadowlark here. Listen to its lovely song here.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) Icteridae
April 2, 2016
Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, MT
Robert Niese
The Western Meadowlark performs a lovely metallic flute-like song throughout the spring and summer. Its Eastern counterpart, on the other hand, has a much flatter, whistled song. Easter and Western Meadowlarks are so similar in appearance that until quite recently they were considered the same species. Since the Eastern species was discovered and named first, the Western, when it finally gained full species distinction, became known as the “neglected” meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). This species is one of the 37 (including subspecies) named by John James Audubon throughout his career as one of America’s first ornithologists.
Northwest Naturalist 