|
Western
Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
Montrose
Point, Lincoln Park, Chicago
Cook County, IL
17 April 2006
I spotted
a meadowlark in the beach dunes at Montrose Point that looked a little
pale. It obligingly perched up where I could get my scope focused on
it. It seemed to have yellow coloration in the malar area, but the windy
conditions and the side lighting made viewing rough, and I wasn't sure.
But I did hear the bird giving some chuck calls, and I thought
this was most likely a Western Meadowlark, a rare bird on Chicago's
lakefront. It then flew and headed north over the fishhook pier, and
I thought it might have gone.
I told Rita
Torrado about the bird, and then while we were standing and looking
at gulls, she called "What's this?" as a meadowlark flew
back in. It was the bird, returning back to the beach grass. After
some stalking, the bird finally perched up in some of the small trees
and I was able to get some photographs. Then the bird sang for us,
giving its song three or four times.
In this closeup
of the head you can see the yellow malar region.
This
page was last updated on 17 April 2006.
Contact Geoff Williamson
with any comments, updates or suggestions.
|