Is this a Meadowlark?

[Maestro]

I have been seeing these birds for the past couple weeks hanging out in the tall grass of open fields.

[Maestro]

1. I got it confirmed. It is.

Cool.

[XemaSab]

2. Yes

Eastern vs Western is determined by the color of the malar stripe. :eyes:

[XemaSab]

3. Oh, and that's not :eyes: that you're stupid,

it's :eyes: that the stupid birds are so hard to tell apart.

I have had them in the hand and gone "huh?" :crazy:

[Maestro]

4. Phew! For a second I thought my secret was out:

That I am the worst bird identifier on these boards. Glad it is still a secret. Carry on. ;) (malar? I am looking that up right now. :) )

Anyhwho, these birds are everywhere lately but they are the darndest to try to capture with (digital) film. They are very skittish.

P.S. After placing this on my local Audobon Society boards, I think the consensus is that it is a male Eastern Meadowlark. :)

[vireo]

5. There's also supposedly a difference in the tail patterns

I usually just wait for them to sing, though! ;)