ML627971928

Detalhes da observação

First noted as a drab meadowlark on the fence of the transfer station. Since this is an unusual time of year for a meadowlark here and this seemed an oddly confiding bird I decided to put Western on the table. Upon closer inspection, this bird had very little yellow and was overall very grayish with little to no rufous undertones. The flank patterning was more blobby than streaky and contrast between the darker and lighter plumage aspects was low. The bird flew down to the ground where we obtained much better views and eventually some diagnostic shots of the tail on a short flight back to the fence. These photos shows the outer two rectrices (R5, 6) as nearly solid white and R4 with a line of white along the shaft but otherwise brown with thin barring. The only vocalizations that were heard were a few soft chuck notes when it was in the grass behind the fence that line up well with WEME but were too soft for our phones mics to pick up.