Episode 10: Eastern VS Western Meadowlark ID – Voice of the Wild
06/21/24 • 2 min
Learn to tell the difference between Eastern and Western meadowlarks.
Both the Eastern meadowlark and Western meadowlark can be found in Illinois. The Western is only occasional in the state, while the Eastern is common throughout. Both species have a tawny back and yellow front with a black v on their chest, sing while perched on fences and powerlines, and fly with rapid wingbeats interrupted by periods of gliding. The visual differences between the two birds are very subtle. The western meadowlark has less white in its tail, less distinct markings on its head, and is paler on its sides, but these are variable traits and the most reliable way to tell the birds apart is by their voice. Luckily they're very vocal birds.
Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program.
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Subscription links Here
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Listen online on our Homepage
The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:
Eastern Meadowlark song by Wil Hershberger (ML509953)
Eastern Meadowlark call by Ted Parker (ML509967)
Western Meadowlark song by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML509945)
Western Meadowlark call by Randolph Little (ML509951)
Learn to tell the difference between Eastern and Western meadowlarks.
Both the Eastern meadowlark and Western meadowlark can be found in Illinois. The Western is only occasional in the state, while the Eastern is common throughout. Both species have a tawny back and yellow front with a black v on their chest, sing while perched on fences and powerlines, and fly with rapid wingbeats interrupted by periods of gliding. The visual differences between the two birds are very subtle. The western meadowlark has less white in its tail, less distinct markings on its head, and is paler on its sides, but these are variable traits and the most reliable way to tell the birds apart is by their voice. Luckily they're very vocal birds.
Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program.
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Subscription links Here
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Listen online on our Homepage
The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:
Eastern Meadowlark song by Wil Hershberger (ML509953)
Eastern Meadowlark call by Ted Parker (ML509967)
Western Meadowlark song by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML509945)
Western Meadowlark call by Randolph Little (ML509951)
Previous Episode
Episode 9: Eastern Meadowlark – Voice of the Wild
Learn the song and call of the Eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna).
This yellow-fronted bird with a black V on its chest often sings from fence posts and power lines. It’s fairly common anywhere grasses have been spared regular mowing. It nests on the ground where it forages for insects using a long pointed beak. When startled from its prairie or pasture home it flies away with rapid wingbeats then fans out its white-edged tail to catch the wind as it glides to a stop. Its call is harsh and electric but its song is sweet and smooth; the favorite of many farmers across the state.
Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program.
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Subscription links Here
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Listen online on our Homepage
The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:
Eastern Meadowlark song by Wil Hershberger (ML509953)
Eastern Meadowlark call by Ted Parker (ML509967)
Next Episode
Bonus: The Water’s Edge – Voice of the Wild
Headphones on! Today we’re giving voice to the array of plants and animals which can only be found where the land and the water mingle. It's a set of ecosystems united by inundation, whether it's the long edge of a shallow pond, a cypress swamp, or a wet prairie. It starts with an unwanted sparrow...
Thank you to the various researchers, friends, and coworkers who gave me feedback on this episode (and to my partner who listened to many drafts over the course of a weekend.)
This episode was written and recorded by Brodie Dunn. Some of the information from this recording was derived from a fantastic master naturalist training delivered by Dr. Susan McIntyre.
The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode:
Dark-eyed Junco Song by Wil Hershberger (ML509729)
Henslow's Sparrow by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML509579)
Note: While I used this for emphasis at a few points, most Henslow’s calls in episode were native to the recordings.
Sora call by Geoffrey A. Keller (ML506061)
Virginia Rail grunt by Wil Hershberger (ML506054)
American Bittern booming song by Steven R. Pantle and Gregory Budney (ML505854)
Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program.
Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Subscription links Here
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Listen online on our Homepage
Voice of the Wild is a service of Illinois Extension’s Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program.
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