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Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
The Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is widespread in grassland areas across the western two-thirds of the United States. Telling this species apart from the similar Eastern Meadowlark takes practice and many non-vocalizing birds in the non-breeding season cannot be identified with confidence except with exceptional looks by a very experienced observer. The first three shots on this page were taken in December, 2005, near Gruver, Hansford Co., Texas, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.
The next three shots show a wintering bird near McCook, Hidalgo Co., Texas, in February, 2006. These three images were taken with the same equipment as previously described.
The next 4 shots of Western Meadowlark were taken at the Pawnee National Grasslands, Weld Co., Colorado, in June, 2007, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The Western Meadowlark on the right was perched on a barbed wire fence near Lipscomb, Lipscomb Co., Texas, in January, 2011. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens.
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Friona,
Parmer Co., Texas
9 December 2014
Lat 34.713361, Lon -102.782164
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Friona,
Parmer Co., Texas
9 December 2014
Lat 34.713361, Lon -102.782164
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Friona,
Parmer Co., Texas
9 December 2014
Lat 34.713361, Lon -102.782164
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Friona,
Parmer Co., Texas
9 December 2014
Lat 34.713361, Lon -102.782164
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
Beaver Co., Oklahoma
9 January 2015
This location was in the NE corner of the Texas Panhandle. The meadowlark was on the Oklahoma side of the road but photos taken from Texas.
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
Bosque del Apache N.W.R.,
Socorro Co., New Mexico
15 January 2015
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
Bosque del Apache N.W.R.,
Socorro Co., New Mexico
15 January 2015
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Palo Duro Reservoir,
Hansford Co., Texas
3 January 2016
Lat 36.4164, Lon -101.1926
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Gonzales,
Gonzales Co., Texas
6 January 2018
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Gonzales,
Gonzales Co., Texas
6 January 2018
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Gonzales,
Gonzales Co., Texas
6 January 2018
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Gonzales,
Gonzales Co., Texas
6 January 2018
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Texline,
Dallam Co., Texas
8 February 2018

This bird was on the Texas/New Mexico line; observed in both states.
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Texline,
Dallam Co., Texas
8 February 2018

This bird was on the Texas/New Mexico line; observed in both states.
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
near Texline,
Dallam Co., Texas
8 February 2018

This bird was on the Texas/New Mexico line; observed in both states.