Chihuahuan Meadowlark

As of July, 2022 the southwestern “Lilian’s” subspecies of Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna lilianae, has finally been split into its own species, Sturnella lilianae. The new species is described as characterized by a darker yellow chest, paler upperparts, a shorter bill, and a different song. The similar birds found in Mexico are classified into a separate subspecies Sturnella autopectoralis.