Chestnut-collared longspur
Calcarius ornatus
Identification Tips:
- 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
Adult 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.