14 replies to this topic

[Texachusetts]

These pictures were taken in Central Texas in March. Working on my life list so is this an Eastern or Western Meadowlark? . I also saw one in Hawaii. Can I assume that was a Western? Not sure how they got to Hawaii so I didn't dare assume that. Back in central Texas we saw this small bird hopping up in a field to fan it's tail flashing white, fly a foot or so and land only to repeat. There were lots of them. A longspur? I think these are the same bird...same field. Bad pictures...sorry. and . Thanks.

[BarnSwallow]

It's got a white malar, so I'd say it's an eastern. The ones in Hawaii are westerns. Not sure about your other bird.

[Texachusetts]

Thanks...I guess that means I can count both. This other bird has really been a challenge. Never saw anything like it. I am not sure the bird on the wire is the same as the ones that were hopping in the field.

[psweet]

I wouldn't want to call that first bird. March is when they're molting in, and you can see a bit of yellow on the malar. (Actually, Pyle shows male Eastern and female Western with about that much yellow.) By far the best way to ID Meadowlarks is their call note -- a buzzy dzzt in Eastern and a throaty cherk in Western. Beyond that, the pattern on the tertials and tail feathers can be helpful.

The Westerns in Hawaii were brought there, just like most of the birds you saw there.

[JimBob]

I'll take hesitant guess' on the last two. . .

2: Kind of looks like a meadowlark. . . but not exactly
3: Looks like a sparrow, if I had to guess I'd say Grasshoper.

[Texachusetts]

I assumed the meadowlarks were brought to Hawaii which is why I did not want to assume Western just because it is west. JimBob, the bird with the white tail was much smaller than a meadowlark. I was hoping the flashing white tails (which visually popped) and the behavior we witnessed would help identify. The closest thing I could find in my books was longspurs. I went back about 2 weeks later hoping to get a picture, but nothing. I assume it was a migration stop. As for the last bird, the picture isn't good enough to be sure but I was hoping it might help identify the second bird.

[Texachusetts]

I'll call Western from Hawaii and wait until I hear the next meadowlark before I count Eastern. I REALLY want to know about the white-tailed hopping field birds though. I know the pic is bad, but there can't be many birds that behave this way AND have that distinct white tail. Anyone?

[Liam]

For what it's worth, when I first saw your whitetail bird, I initially thought female Bobolink. However, If the two birds are indeed the same, then I could easily be convinced otherwise.
My second thought was Vesper Sparrow, they have white outer tail feathers.

Also, I think your first shot of the bird is quite nice, despite the fuzziness.

[Texachusetts]

I was leaning on longspurs...never thought of Bobolink. Saw them once in the Mid-Hudson Valley of NY and they did behave the same way. Really don't know if the second bird is the same. It landed briefly on the fence from the field so we snapped the picture while we could. We were out looking at the Texas wildflowers which fits in great with observing birds too. This was a field of Winecups.

[Liam]

You may be right on longspur. You have all four species in TX in Winter. Check out this shot of a McCown's I found on Google: http://www.birdspix....ight-033-cr.jpg

[Texachusetts]

Cool...I don't see the black tips on the tail, but the posture sure does match. Do both genders have the black tips? Can't find a chestnut in flight, they are supposed to have white tails too. I really can't find much detailed info on any longspur except lapland and I've ruled that one out. Not enough white on the tail.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

My two cents: I think the second bird is a Vesper Sparrow. The outer tail feathers, streaky breast, and overall color look good to me, plus the second picture shows a pretty distinct white eye ring that's more prominent than I'd expect on a McCown's.

[Texachusetts]

I guess I'll have to hope to see this again. By second bird I assume you mean last? A vesper would not have a totally white tail like the middle picture, would it? I was actually also considering chestnut collared longspur, but again, no black on the tail. It is really hard to find info on longspurs like alternate plumage, females, behavior. Anyone with a Sibley's have better info? Vesper would not be a lifer for me, but since I really don't know on this bird, I can't count it either.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Sorry, I thought the last two were the same bird. The third pic is the one that gave me a Vesper vibe.

As for the tail, a Vesper would show white outer feathers the whole length of the tail but I can't say I've ever seen one fan its tail that way so I'm not sure if the outer band in picture two is too broad.

[Texachusetts]

They may be the same bird...the field was full of them popping up fanning the white tail and landing again. This bird landed on the fence very briefly so we quick snapped the picture, but we aren't sure if it is the same or not. Sure wish we had more of them popping up in the field. It was a pretty big field full of wild winecup flowers and I would say there were at least 20-25 of them.