In 2023, ABA Area birders welcomed the Chihuahuan Meadowlark to the official ABA Checklist—and subsequently to many life lists. The species was previously treated as a subspecies of the Eastern Meadowlark, but NSF Postdoctoral Scholar Dr. Johanna Beam turned that all upside-down. Based on work she did mainly as an undergrad, but actually starting when she was a high school student (and ABA Young Birder of the Year), Johanna used museum specimens, audio recordings, and genetic tools to inform the taxonomic revision. Johanna joins host Nate Swick to talk about how it’s done, and what other potential new species might be out there.
Also, the ABA announces our 2026 Community Weekend schedule. We hope to see you out there!
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The American Birding Podcast brings together staff and friends of the American Birding Association as we talk about birds, birding, travel and conservation in North America and beyond.
Join host Nate Swick every other Thursday for news and happenings, recent rarities, guests from around the birding world, and features of interest to every birder.
