Chestnut-collared Longspur
Calcarius ornatus
ORDER: PASSERIFORMES
FAMILY: EMBERIZIDAE
IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened
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© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The black belly of the breeding male Chestnut-collared Longspur makes it stand out when proclaiming its territory on its short-grass prairie home. In other seasons the male is as drab and sparrow-like as the female.
Appearance
Sparrowlike
Adult Description
- Medium-sized sparrow-like bird.
- Short, thick, pointed bill.
- Tail white with black triangle in center.
- Breeding male has black crown, chest, and belly, and deep chestnut nape.
- Female and winter male grayish buff, with dusky streaks on back and sides.
Immature Description
Immature similar to female.
Similar Species
- Horned Lark has thin bill, black face patch, black tail with white outer tail feathers.
- McCown's Longspur has black T on white tail (tip and center black); breeding male has small black chest patch and gray belly.
- Smith's Longspur has two white outer tail feathers and straight-sided dark middle of tail.
- Lapland Longspur has little white on outer edge of tail, with straight sides to dark center of tail.