Both male and female S. magna often preen and stretch, especially in the early morning hours. Similar to Western Meadowlark. In winter, Eastern is more likely to be alone, rather than in a flock, and favors more extensive, pristine grasslands than Western. They are best told from Easterns by their different song and calls. Eastern Meadowlarks are told from Western Meadowlarks by their white (vs. yellow) malar, their bolder blackish head stripes, and their more contrasting and bold black flank streaking. WESTERN MEADOWLARK: There are occasional records of Western Meadowlark in Carden. Remarkably similar to the Eastern Meadowlark in colors and pattern, this bird is recognized by its very different song and callnotes. Some scientists believe that the southwestern form is actually a different species. Also, where eastern and western meadowlark ranges overlap, male eastern meadowlarks will defend against male eastern and western meadowlarks. Meadowlarks will sing from the ground and in flight, but they often use an elevated perch, such as a fencepost, tree, or power line. Compared to the skittish behaviour of Eastern Meadowlarks, Westerns are often tamer and easier to see well. From what I can tell from specimens, juvenile Western Meadowlark should have a paler and more diffuse post-ocular stripe. From what I can tell from specimens, juvenile Western Meadowlark should have a paler and more diffuse post-ocular stripe. Molt-timing apparently eliminates juvenile Lilian's. Eastern also has bolder, more contrasting head pattern. The eastern meadowlark is extremely similar and sometimes not separable. ID Discussion of Eastern Meadowlark versus Western Meadowlark Since I brought up the possibility of Steve Bailey's Western Meadowlark ( Sturnella neglecta) (WEME) was not of WEME parentage, or possibly mixed parentage, I need to comment on this topic.Before starting, let me remind everyone that this is an open discussion of bird identification. In winter, Eastern is more likely to be alone, rather than in a flock, and favors more extensive, pristine grasslands than Western. Similar to Western Meadowlark. Eastern also has bolder, more contrasting head pattern. Molt-timing apparently eliminates juvenile Lilian's. Basically, the songs are different. This combination of features is intermediate between those of Eastern Meadowlark and Western Meadowlark and would seem to suggest Eastern Meadowlark x Western Meadowlark. The Eastern meadowlark has a high, buzzy drzzt, given in a rapid series in flight. The main distinction is a difference in the birds' calls. The Western Meadowlark ranges no farther than central Mexico, but the Eastern Meadowlark inhabits much of that country, as well as Central America, and northern South America, from Colombia east to far-northern Brazil. In flight, the meadowlark looks chunky and shows white outer tail feathers. Remarkably similar to the Eastern Meadowlark in colors and pattern, this bird is recognized by its very different song and callnotes. The western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized icterid bird, about 8.5 in (22 cm) in length. It nests on the ground in open grasslands across western and central North America. The two species of meadowlarks evidently can easily recognize their own kind the same way; even where their ranges overlap in the … Enlarge Adult male Eastern Meadowlark, Anahuac NWR, TX, March. The Eastern meadowlark has a high, buzzy drzzt, given in a rapid series in flight. A familiar bird, known by the black "V" on its chest when it sings from a fencepost, or by the flash of white tail feathers when it flushes from the grass. Males typically defend their territories with posturing and aerial displays. Wiki User April 27, 2012 11:55PM . Where ranges overlap in summer, listen for different song and look for mostly white malar (less yellow on throat) on Eastern.