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Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlark line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Western Meadowlark full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Western Meadowlark was completed on 6.7.2012. I enjoy seeing these wonderful birds when I'm hiking in the hills in the Bay Area. I had drawn an Eastern Meadowlark some years ago, so I was a little hesitant to draw another bird so closely related to one I had already rendered. However, the Western Meadowlark has the distinction of being the official state bird of many US states, so as I went through the 50 State Project I realized I had to add this songbird to the image library. The drawing is based on a photo by Craig Coonrad.

Information about the Western Meadowlark:

The Western Meadowlark is a medium-sized member of the Icteridae family. They grow to be about 8.5 inches long (22 centimeters.) These songbirds are native to western North America, from Canada down to Mexico. They are closely related to Eastern Meadowlarks, but have a few physical difference in the patterns on their feathers. They are generally found in grasslands, prairies, open pastures, meadows and fields. Their nests are made on the ground, which makes them vulnerable to cats and accidental encounters with mowers. For a long time the Eastern and Western Meadowlark for a long time were considered the same species, and when the Western bird was finally recognized as a separate species it was given the semi-ironic latin name of "neglecta." It is the state bird of Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming.