Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
(Icteridae)
9.5 inches long. The Western Meadowlark has a sharply pointed bill. The head is buff with black stripes. The upperparts are brown with black streaks. The underparts are yellow with a black “V” on the breast. The tail is brown with white outer tail feathers. This white in the outer tail is less extensive than that of the very similar Eastern Meadowlark. See below for information on the song and calls of each species which is the best way to differentiate the species.
Western Meadowlarks are very common in the Omaha area. However due to their open habitat requirements they are seldom seen within Fontenelle Forest. The best strategy would be to scan the fields of the adjacent Gifford Farm property.
When first discovered, the Western Meadowlark was not thought to be a separate species from the Eastern Meadowlark. They are almost visually indistinguishable by sight, but their song and call are completely different. After the Western Meadowlark was determined to be a separate species it was given the latin name of neglecta!
The Western Meadowlark has a bubbly and descending warbled song whereas the song of the Eastern Meadowlark is a clear melodic slurred whistled song sometimes noted as “Song of the earth”. The call of the Western Meadowlark is a sharp chuk note while the call of the Eastern Meadowlark is a buzzy “zzzzrtt”.
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