Western meadowlark

The western meadowlark was formally described in 1844 by the American ornithologist John James Audubon under its current binomial name Sturnella neglecta.[3] Audubon explained that although the account of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803–1806 mentioned yellow larks, these had never been formally described.These birds have long, pointed bills and their heads are striped with light brown and black bands.Attempted introductions to other islands failed, likely due to the presence of the small Indian mongoose, which is absent from Kauai.It is variable in form and ranges from a simple cup to a partially roofed structure with a runway extending from the nest entrance.[12] During the 2017 regular session of the Oregon Legislature, there was a short-lived controversy over the western meadowlark's status as state bird versus the osprey.The sometimes-spirited debate included state representative Rich Vial playing the meadowlark's song on his smartphone over the House microphone.