ML646654512

Observation details

The snowplow had gone earlier this morning and left bare dirt grass along side the pavement that this bird was foraging in. The bird did not vocalize so I had to rely on field marks. I used Cornell Labs Eastern v western meadowlark for reference. It showed some yellow in the area behind the lower mandible whereas eastern meadowlark would be all white. The tail feathers were light with narrow dark bars and didn't display dark cental portions with thicker dark bars as eastern would. The folded wings showed narrow dark bars also. The upper parts overall looked lighter than I thought eastern would. In flight the tail showed less white on edges than eastern would comparing with Cornell Lab pictures. I know this is a close call without vocalization but I am leaning to Western Meadowlark. I will add photos.