Chestnut-collared longspur Calcarius ornatus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 5 inches
• Short, conical bill
• Black-tipped tail with white base
• Found in open areas: beaches, tundra, short grass or bare fields
• Often found in flocks
• Forages on the ground

Male alternate:

• Black crown and eyeline
• White supercilium
• Yellow throat
• Chestnut nape
• Black breast and belly
• White undertail coverts
• Streaked back

Female and basic:

• Dark crown
• Pale brown supercilium and face
• Buffy underparts
• Brown wings
• Streaked back
• Hint of chestnut nape sometimes visible
• Winter male often has blackish breast

Similar species:

In the breeding season, the male Chestnut-collared Longspur is easily identified. The female and winter plumages are very similar to other longspurs. Smith's and Lapland have less white in the tail, especially at the base. McCown's has a rusty shoulder and a larger bill. Chestnut-collared often has a blackish breast and hint of chestnut on the nape which are lacking in the Smith's. Lapland Longspur has rusty wings. Chestnut-collared Longspur can be told from Snow Buntings and Horned Larks by its streaked upperparts and buff underparts.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.