Meadowlarks (1 Viewer)

I've been seeing Meadowlarks for the first time. My bird book is saying Eastern and Western Meadowlarks, the one marking being different is the white along the edges of its tail. One has more white than the other. I'm in South Dakota so we get both.
I think I've seen both in 1 day but of course, not at the same time to compare.
How do I get positive ID on these beautiful birds.??
Also, how many of you would have checked off one or the other.?? I think its the Eastern Meadowlark that has more white. I've seen a lot of white so I checked off the Eastern Meadowlark in my book.

Hi GoG,

The songs of the two species are different. It's certainly possible to see both in a single day.

This site may be of help:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Meadowlark/id
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id

I think (while I lived in WI) that I only ticked any of them when I had heard them. They are quite specific.

Niels

Thanks people. After hearing the 2 Meadowlark songs, western vs. eastern Meadowlark, I am positively seeing the Eastern Meadowlark.

Thanks for the links.!!