How to Identify Meadowlarks

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Know the habitats of the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks. Eastern Meadowlarks live in the eastern half of the United States, southeastern Canada and in Mexico. You will find these birds in meadows, farms, fields, grasslands and on fence posts.
Step 2:
Look for Western Meadowlarks in the western half of the United States, western Canada and Mexico. They are often seen in farms, grasslands, prairies and near roadsides.
Step 3:
Observe the appearance of the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks. Both the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks have a black V-shaped band on their breasts, a brown barred back, yellow under parts, dark centers on their feathers, a dark crown and white outer tail feathers. They also have pointed bills and short tails. The Western Meadowlarks are paler in color than the Eastern Meadowlarks, and also have thinner barring on their backs. In general, the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks have a very similar appearance.
Step 4:
Review the size of the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks. They are both medium-sized songbirds that range in size from 19 to 26 cm. They have wingspans between 35 and 41 cm, and weigh between 89 and 115 g.
Step 5:
Listen to the sounds of the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks. The song of the Eastern Meadowlarks is very clear and sounds like a whistling "see-you, see-yeeeer." It tends to be descending at the end. The call of the Eastern Meadowlarks consists of a rapid buzzing or rattling sound that sounds likes "drzzt." The Western Meadowlarks have a song that is flute like and sounds like "shee-oo-e-lee." It is also ascending at the end. The call of the Western Meadowlarks is low in pitch and sounds like a whistling "chupp" or "wheer."
Step 6:
Watch the flight patterns of the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks. Both birds have similar flight patterns that consist of stiff, rapid and shallow wing beats that are followed by a glide.

Tips & Warnings

Both the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks can hybridize in the central part of North America.
The song of the Eastern Meadowlarks is said to be less complex and less musical than the song of the Western Meadowlarks. The song is a good way to distinguish between the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks.

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