Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A common and conspicuous bird across much of North America west of the Mississippi River, the Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was first officially described in 1805 by the famed explorer Meriwether Lewis. However, because this yellow-chested, ground-nesting bird looked so similar to the Eastern Meadowlark, it was not officially recognized as a distinct species until almost 40 years later, when painter and explorer John James Audubon proposed that the Western Meadowlark was a separate species based on its very different vocalizations. Audubon gave the bird its Latin species name neglecta, since it had been overlooked for so long.
The Western Meadowlark has proved a prime choice for state bird; in fact, it was selected for this honor by six states: Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. Only the Northern Cardinal is more popular, representing seven states.
Also known as: Thunderchunk
Learn more about the Western Meadolark at abcbirds.org/birds/western-meadowlark/.
A common and conspicuous bird across much of North America west of the Mississippi River, the Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was first officially described in 1805 by the famed explorer Meriwether Lewis. However, because this yellow-chested, ground-nesting bird looked so similar to the Eastern Meadowlark, it was not officially recognized as a distinct species until almost 40 years later, when painter and explorer John James Audubon proposed that the Western Meadowlark was a separate species based on its very different vocalizations. Audubon gave the bird its Latin species name neglecta, since it had been overlooked for so long.
The Western Meadowlark has proved a prime choice for state bird; in fact, it was selected for this honor by six states: Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. Only the Northern Cardinal is more popular, representing seven states.
Also known as: Thunderchunk
Learn more about the Western Meadolark at abcbirds.org/birds/western-meadowlark/.
