Western Meadlowlark

 

The western meadowlark is a medium-sized icterid bird, about 8.5 in in length. It is found across western and central North America and is a full migrant, breeding in Canada and the United States with resident populations also found in Mexico.

The Western Meadowlark was a bird I grew to love as a youth in the Upper Snake River Valley. Often in my wanderings about nature I heard its clarion call from a fence post or tree. This was hand-carved in basswood using carving knives. Basswood is not particularly good for power carving. The feathering on the back and spots on the sides and chest was done with various woodburning styles, and painted with acrylic paints. The legs and feet are wire covered with quikwood and painted.