There are two kinds of Meadowlarks

Al Lowe
Contributor

Summer is here and our birds are, too. One of the common birds of the fields is the Meadowlark. Most people in the country know this bird. It is a familiar sight in the grasslands of Canada, from BC to some parts of the maritimes.
Ah, but just a minute. There are two different Meadowlarks, Eastern and Western. Both are chunky, brownish birds, with a lot of yellow on throat and breast. Tail is quite short, with prominent white flares on both sids, easily seen in flight. The difference between the two Meadowlarks is minor. The Western is a bit paler on the back, and has a bit more yellow on its face. But unless you are a dedicated birdwatcher, just forget about trying to tell them apart that way.
They do, however, have entirely different songs. The Western has a rich, gurgling sort of song, quite varied and pleasant. The Eastern, on the other hand, sings in two simple, clear notes - descending. Some describe it as singing ‘Spring-o—the-year’. So, if you can’t tell the difference by sight, you can, quite easily, by sound.
Here is another little problem about these birds. Their ranges overlap. Both are found in most of southern Ontario, and along the border areas of Northwestern Ontario. It is rather strange, though, that where these two species overlap, there is very little interbreeding. So the two types maintain their individuality.
Both have the same habits. They are birds of the open - pastures, hayfields, stubble. They are never found in the woods, or in the shrubbery. They nest on the ground, building a substantial structure, usually with somewhat of a roof over it. Quite often, the nest is so well built, and so carefully hidden, that you can’t find it, even when you see the old bird flash up from its vicinity.
Meadowlarks are just about entirely useful birds. They live on insects, grubs and other living things all summer. They eat almost all of the common pests, grasshoppers, cutworms, beetles and caterpillars of all kinds. In the fall and winter, they feed on seeds. Once again, most of the seeds they eat are of noxious weeds, ragweed, twitch grass and the like. They also pick up some waste grain after the harvest, and some wild fruit. The Meadowlark is almost 100% of benefit to man.
When you see one flying, you will note that it flies in an irregular sort of way - a string of strong flaps, then a bit of coasting. A brownish bird, about the size of a Robin, but with a very short tail.
So there are our two Meadowlarks. Tell them apart by their songs, not by their looks. Incidentally, they are not larks at all, but are really somewhat specialized blackbirds. So much for birds’ names.