About the Cover…
Eastern / Western Meadowlark Photos courtesy Betsy Cross
Betsy Cross
A meadowlark foraged in the grassy area just below the upper parking lot at Jacob’s Well Natural Area. Even though I walk the property each week to document nest boxes, it was the only meadowlark I’ve ever seen there. It was mid-April, and as I tried to get a better look, the bird lifted off and settled into a nearby tree.
Two species of meadowlarks, the Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) and the Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), can be seen in Central Texas. After consulting several experienced birders, the consensus was that this individual is most likely an Eastern Meadowlark; however, without hearing its song, it’s difficult to be certain.
According to Cornell’s All About Birds, “Where Eastern and Western Meadowlark ranges overlap in the central U.S., the two species refuse to share territories…and are likely to fight for territorial supremacy.” Although they appear nearly identical, they rarely hybridize.
Eastern Meadowlarks are a declining species, most likely due to the loss and degradation of grassland habitat. National Audubon Society notes that a century of community science data from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) reveals how dramatically their relative abundance has shifted. In 1966, the average count was 160.24 birds per CBC circle; by 2023, that number had fallen to 34.12.
Hays County Parks Department Education Coordinator Katherine Sturdivant recently shared that she and a group she was leading also spotted an Eastern Meadowlark during a walk at Jacob’s Well’s newly opened Karst Canyon area.
