Streaked brown above with distinctive black "V" on breast and yellow below. In flight, short wings and spiky tail with white outer edges are apparent. Bill is as long as the length of head. Beautiful song rings throughout grasslands in summer. Duller plumage in winter, blending into grasses even more. Similar to Eastern Meadowlark. Where ranges overlap in summer, listen for different song and look for yellow malar (more yellow on throat) on Western. In winter, Western is more likely to be in flocks and areas with shorter grass (less pristine, extensive grasslands). Western also has less contrasting head pattern.