Chestnut-collared Longspur

The Chestnut-collared Longspur, a small bird with a conical bill and a streaked back, is a delightful sight with its white tail and contrasting dark tip. The breeding male is particularly striking with his black underparts, a rich chestnut nape, a vibrant yellow throat, and a distinguished black crown. Outside of the breeding season, these birds present with light brown underparts and a dark crown, while their wings maintain a brown hue, and some may retain a hint of chestnut on the nape.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Chestnut-collared Longspur, look for the following key features:

• Length: 5.1-6.5 inches (13-16.5 cm)
• Weight: 0.6-0.8 ounces (17-23 g)
• Wingspan: 25–27 cm
• Males in breeding plumage exhibit a black chest, chestnut nape, yellow throat, and black crown
• Non-breeding birds and females are more subdued with light brown underparts and a dark crown

Habitat

The Chestnut-collared Longspur thrives in prairie ecosystems, favoring short and mixed grass prairies for breeding.

Distribution

This species breeds in the central regions of Canada and the north-central United States. Come winter, they migrate in flocks to the southern United States and Mexico, seeking out prairies and open fields.

Behaviour

These ground-feeding birds forage on the ground and are known to gather in flocks during the winter months. They primarily consume seeds, supplementing their diet with insects during the summer. The female lays her eggs in a grass cup nest within a shallow ground scrape, and both parents are involved in feeding the young.

Song & Calls

The Chestnut-collared Longspur's call is a distinctive two-syllabled "chee dee," which can be heard across the prairies.

Breeding

During the breeding season, the male Chestnut-collared Longspur performs a territorial display that includes singing and a flight display. The female lays a clutch of 4 or 5 eggs, and both parents are dedicated to feeding their offspring.

Similar Species

While observing these birds, be mindful of similar species which may share overlapping habitats and physical characteristics.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Chestnut-collared Longspur consists mainly of seeds. During the breeding season, they will also consume insects, which are particularly important for the growth of their young.

Conservation status

The Chestnut-collared Longspur is currently listed as Vulnerable. Habitat loss has led to their disappearance from certain areas, although they remain fairly common in others. Controlled burns have been noted to benefit this species by promoting the growth of low-lying plants that they feed on.