Eastern Meadowlark Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Western Meadowlark
Breeding adult
Westerns Meadowlarks have a yellow mustache stripe while Easterns have a white mustache.
© Greg Gillson | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 30, 2016Similar Species
Western Meadowlark
Breeding adult
Western Meadowlarks have less white on the outer tail feathers than Easterns, but this difference can be hard to judge.
© Susan Disher | Macaulay LibraryNorth Dakota, June 15, 2014Similar Species
Bobolink
Female/nonbreeding male
Female and nonbreeding Bobolinks are smaller and slimmer, with much shorter bills and more uniform buff coloring than Eastern Meadowlarks.
© Juan D Astorga | Macaulay LibraryAlajuela, October 18, 2016Similar Species
Savannah Sparrow
Adult (Savannah)
Savannah Sparrows are much smaller with a shorter bill and whitish, not yellow, underparts unlike the large and long-billed Eastern Meadowlark.
© Don Blecha | Macaulay LibraryIllinois, April 23, 2017Main Species
Eastern Meadowlark
Breeding adult (Eastern)
Chunky, medium-sized songbird with a short tail, and a long, spear-shaped bill. Breeding birds are bright yellow below with a black V on the chest.
© Doris Brookens | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 26, 2017Breeding adult (Eastern)
Sings from exposed perches such as treetops, fenceposts, and utility lines. Note yellow throat bordered by a white mustache.
© David Mozzoni | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, February 13, 2021Breeding adult (Eastern)
Males sing a flutelike whistle in open areas, usually from an exposed perch.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, May 01, 1999Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult/immature (Eastern)
Chunky, flat-headed grassland bird with a long, pointed bill. Nonbreeding birds are paler yellow below.
© Ed McAskill | Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 04, 2021Adult (Eastern)
Forages for insects such as grasshoppers and caterpillars or seeds by probing ground with their shear-shaped bill.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 01, 2002Not all videos have sound
Breeding adult (Lilian's)
Eastern Meadowlarks (Lilian's) in the Southwest have more white in the tail, grayer upperparts, and more contrastingly white cheeks than other Eastern Meadowlarks.
© Bradley Hacker 🦜 | Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 03, 2018Nonbreeding adult/immature (Lilian's)
Eastern Meadowlarks (Lilian's) in the Southwest have more white in the tail, grayer upperparts, and more contrastingly white cheeks than other Eastern Meadowlarks.
© Jack Parlapiano | Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, December 29, 2019Adult (Eastern)
Heavy streaking on their backs help Eastern Meadowlarks to hide from predators when foraging or walking on the ground.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 01, 2002Not all videos have sound
Habitat
Found in farm fields, grasslands, and wet fields.
© Daniel Jauvin | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, April 13, 2018Breeding adult (Eastern)
Preens and stretches frequently in the morning or following incubation.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, May 01, 1999Not all videos have sound
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Species in This Family
Troupials and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Icteridae)
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