Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta confluenta) 26 June 2011. Waverly Road, Bellota, San Joaquin County, California Photo © 2011 Joseph Morlan

Not actually a lark, meadowlarks are New World blackbirds (Icterids). The scientific name (S. neglecta) was provided by J.J. Audubon noting how neglected the species had been, perhaps because of confusion with the Eastern Meadowlark. The two species of meadowlark are hard to distinguish except by song and call-note.

Captive studies have found that F1 hybrids between the two species are fertile but F2 hybrids are sterile. An interesting case of a layered barrier to gene flow.

Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)
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