Western Meadowlark

This Western Meadowlark sat very cooperatively for me for a minute, before being flushed by passing traffic, at the Mainland Farm/Drummond's Field area in James City County on Dec 18, 2020. A common bird out west, there are no previous Virginia records. Two striking features separating the species from Eastern Meadowlark are the overall pale gray-brown coloration and complete yellow malar area. The barring on the wings is also very thin, as compared to Eastern. Another interesting feature, though difficult to see without a close-up photo, are the "hollow" looking flank spots...dark edges, but pale centers and tips to the spots. Brian Taber