Identification of the newest meadowlark – Chihuahuan

In their 2022 checklist supplement the AOS voted to elevate the southwestern populations of Eastern Meadowlark to a full species, with the name Chihuahuan Meadowlark. it’s been recognized as a distinctive population for decades, usually under the name Lilian’s Meadowlark, but making it a full species raises the stakes and adds new emphasis to a serious identification challenge.
I’ve put together a one-page summary of the visual differences between the three species of meadowlarks, as well as regional variation in Eastern and Western meadowlarks. This is still a work in progress. Feel free to download, share, and print, and please share any feedback either in the comments or through the contact form.

2 thoughts on “Identification of the newest meadowlark – Chihuahuan”

  1. Another ID note for Chihuahan is the more ochre-y yellow (some say “saffron”) on the breast. It’s not as lemony as either Eastern or Western. The auriculars of Chihuahuan are also paler with less streaking.

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