Meadowlark
Meadowlarks are New World grassland birds belonging to genera Sturnella and Leistes.
This group includes seven species of largely insectivorous grassland birds. In all species the male at least has a black or brown back and extensively red or yellow underparts.
List of species
There is disagreement among authorities as to whether
Red-breasted species, predominantly South American
- Red-breasted meadowlark (formerly red-breasted blackbird), Leistes militaris
- White-browed meadowlark (formerly white-browed blackbird), Leistes superciliaris
- Peruvian meadowlark, Leistes bellicosus
- Pampas meadowlark, Leistes defilippii
- Long-tailed meadowlark, Leistes loyca
Yellow-breasted species, predominantly North American
- Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna
- Chihuahuan meadowlark, Sturnella lilianae
- Western meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
Taxonomy
As a group, the meadowlarks have had a volatile taxonomic history. When
By the early 20th century, the meadowlarks were split again. Only the "yellow-breasted" meadowlarks (eastern and western meadowlarks, including Lilian's) remained in the genus Sturnella. The red-breasted and white-browed meadowlarks were moved to the genus Leistes, while the pampas meadowlark, Peruvian meadowlark and long-tailed meadowlark made up the genus Pezites, which was established by Cabanis in 1851. By the late 20th century, all meadowlarks were lumped again in the genus Sturnella. In 2017, all the red-breasted species were moved to the genus Leistes.
References
- ^ LCCN 73017815.
- ^ a b del Hoyo, Elliott & Christie (2011), p. 804.
- ^ a b del Hoyo, Elliott & Christie (2011), p. 806.
- ^ "ITIS Report: Sturnella". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
- ^ del Hoyo, Elliott & Christie (2011), p. 807.
- ^ a b del Hoyo, Elliott & Christie (2011), p. 805.
- ^ Sharpe, Richard Bowdler, ed. (1886). Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum, volume XI. London, UK: British Museum. p. 357.
Sources
- del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Christie, David, eds. (2011). Handbook of Birds of the World, volume 16: Tanagers to New World Blackbirds. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-84-96553-78-1.
- New World Blackbirds by Jaramillo and Burke, ISBN 0-7136-4333-1
Further reading
- Powell, A.F.L.A.; Barker, F.K.; Lanyon, S.M.; Burns, K.J.; Klicka, J.; Lovette, I.J. (2014). "A comprehensive species-level molecular phylogeny of the New World blackbirds (Icteridae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 71: 94–112. PMID 24291659.
External links
- Sturnella videos, photos and sounds on the Internet Bird Collection