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Field Guide for all the Birds of North America

Longspurs

Plectrophanes

Calcariidae

Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities

There are four species of longspurs found in North America. Two of these, the McCown's Longspur and the Chestnut-collared Longspur live in the central regions of the continent. The Lapland Longspur has the widest range of all four and the Smith's Longspur nests in the far north and is only seen mostly during the spring and fall migrations.

Longspurs are ground-dwelling birds who prefer grass covered areas and low-lying tundra. If not for their singing in the spring and their aerial displays, these birds would remain unseen to most viewers. Sparrow-sized in appearance and having the same shy habits, the longspur walks along the ground as it searches for food. In the non-breeding season, the male species has very colourful breeding plumage which changes to a duller plumage that is somewhat similar to the female of their type.

Click on bird images or names to see pictures of the Longspurs seen in North America

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Lapland Longspur

Smith's Longspur

Thick-billed Longspur

References to Other Bird Sites:

Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.

ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.

I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.

Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB