Eastern Meadowlark - Bent County CO - June 2016
This juv was photographed at John Martin Reservoir. For a discussion on juvenile meadowlark identification, see www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/albums/72157658379567708 This bird was found due its call, the bzzzzrt typical of an Eastern Meadowlark. The nearly solid-dark scaps, the uppertail covert pattern (linear dark markings vs fine bars), the contrasting head pattern, whitish cheek/malar contrasting with yellowish throat, and the extent of white on tail all favor Eastern over Western Meadowlark. However, the central tail-feather pattern, which appears to be barred, without dark line along shaft, is not correct for magna (the main Eastern Meadowlark subspecies). It is consistent with the tail pattern of Lilian's Meadowlark, which also has the dark uppertail covert pattern seen on this bird. The ID of juv meadowlarks is less well known. This bird's tail pattern may be okay for Lilian's, but may not have as much white as typical for that subspecies. Similarly, the amount of dark on scaps and wings may or may not be within range of Lilian's. Another possibility is the hoopesi race of Eastern Meadowlark, which occurs in nearby OK, and is somewhat intermediate between magna and Lilian's. So, the species ID is clear, the subspecies ID a bit more fuzzy at this time.
Eastern Meadowlark - Bent County CO - June 2016
This juv was photographed at John Martin Reservoir. For a discussion on juvenile meadowlark identification, see www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/albums/72157658379567708 This bird was found due its call, the bzzzzrt typical of an Eastern Meadowlark. The nearly solid-dark scaps, the uppertail covert pattern (linear dark markings vs fine bars), the contrasting head pattern, whitish cheek/malar contrasting with yellowish throat, and the extent of white on tail all favor Eastern over Western Meadowlark. However, the central tail-feather pattern, which appears to be barred, without dark line along shaft, is not correct for magna (the main Eastern Meadowlark subspecies). It is consistent with the tail pattern of Lilian's Meadowlark, which also has the dark uppertail covert pattern seen on this bird. The ID of juv meadowlarks is less well known. This bird's tail pattern may be okay for Lilian's, but may not have as much white as typical for that subspecies. Similarly, the amount of dark on scaps and wings may or may not be within range of Lilian's. Another possibility is the hoopesi race of Eastern Meadowlark, which occurs in nearby OK, and is somewhat intermediate between magna and Lilian's. So, the species ID is clear, the subspecies ID a bit more fuzzy at this time.