Weekly Bird Identification Quiz
March 29 - April 4, 2010
How to Identify:
The bird in this picture can be identified as a meadowlark by the combination of black and white striped head, yellow lores and throat, and streaky tan back. From this angle the best field marks to use are the streaking on the sides and the color of the malar. Luckily the sides of our bird are heavily streaked. This suggests Eastern over Western. Had it been more spotted it would not be a good field mark since both Eastern and Western can look spotted on the sides. The Eastern also tends to have more streaking on the sides. The color of the malar is also a good field mark. The Eastern like our bird has a distinctive white malar while the Western has a yellow malar. At times these two species aren’t seperable in the field by just sight alone. In the field, this individual was also heard which is the most reliable and easiest way to differentiate between the two species.
Answer: Eastern Meadowlark
Photo Location: Newton, IL
Photo Date: March 2010
Correct Answers:
Chad Williams, Indianapolis, IN
John Mueller, Avon, IN
Landon Neumann, Logansport, IN
Patty MacLean, Waynesville, OH
Mary Ann Anderson, Wauseon, OH
Terri Moore, Flat Rock, IN
Margaret Smith, Boulder, CO
Other Answers:
None