Bird Guide

Chestnut-collared Longspur vs Lapland Longspur

Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus)

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Calcarius ornatus

Small20 gGrassland

These birds have a short conical bill, a streaked back and a white tail with a dark tip. In breeding plumage, the male has black underparts, a chestnut nape, a yellow throat and a black crown. Other birds have light brown underparts, a dark crown, brown wings and may have some chestnut on the nape. Measurements: Length: 5.1–6.5 in (13–16.5 cm) Weight: 0.6–0.8 oz (17–23 g) Wingspan: 25–27 cm

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicus

Small28 gGrassland

The Lapland longspur is a robust bird, with a thick yellow seed-eater's bill. The summer male has a black head and throat, white eyestripe, chestnut nape, white underparts, and a heavily streaked black-grey back. Other plumages have a plainer orange-brown head, a browner back and chestnut nape and wing panels. Measurements: Length: 5.9–6.3 in (15–16 cm) Weight: 0.8–1.2 oz (22.3–33.1 g) Wingspan: 8.7–11.4 in (22–29 cm) Voice: The most common flight call is a hard "prrrrt" usually preceded by a more nasal "teeww". When breeding, it also makes a softer "duyyeee" followed by a pause and a "triiiuuu"; both sounds alternate.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Lapland Longspur
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Flight call · Carolles, Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: Quentin Benet-Cibois · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Chestnut-collared Longspur and Lapland Longspur.