Western meadowlark pictures

Eastern Washington

Western meadowlark is a songbird with a bright yellow breast, and among the most cheerful song to be heard in Eastern Washington. Meadowlarks reside year-round in Eastern Washington but also migrate from the sound in larger numbers during springtime, to breed in the area's open grasslands. In 1951, state legislators called on school children to choose the Washington state bird by voting between the goldfinch and the meadowlark-- goldfinch won, partly because it's more widespread across the state and partly because the meadowlark was already picked as the official state bird for Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming.

Western meadowlark was given the scientific name Sturnella neglecta because it had been overlooked as a separate species and grouped with Eastern meadowlark due to their similarity. Click to hear a recording of a Western meadowlark singing.

Western meadowlark

Western meadowlark with bright yellow breast perched in a ponderosa

Western meadowlark back and tail

Western meadowlark singing in the rabbitbrush

Western meadowlark singing (click for song)

Abandoned Western Meadowlark nest and eggs tucked under rabbitbrush

Western meadowlark flying

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