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GrasslandCup nestSmall · 26 g
ID tip
The thick-billed longspur is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long, has a wingspan of 28 cm (11 in) and weighs around 25 g (0.88 oz). It has a large cone-shaped bill, a streaked back, a rust-coloured shoulder and a white tail with a dark tip. In breeding plumage, the male has a white throat and underparts, a grey face and nape and a black crown. Breeding females are largely gray, with a pale bill and rusty tinged median coverts and scapulars. Non-breeding males are similar to females but with crowns spotted rather than streaked, and more chestnut on their median coverts and scapulars.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Thick-billed Longspur
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 10 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is June, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Thick-billed Longspur
The map shades 3 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Thick-billed Longspur
The thick-billed longspur, also known as McCown's longspur, is a small ground-feeding bird in the family Calcariidae, which also contains the other longspurs and snow buntings. It is found in North America and is the only species in the genus Rhynchophanes.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Smith's LongspurCalcarius pictusThese birds have short cone-shaped bills, streaked backs, and dark tails with white outer rectrices.
McKay's BuntingPlectrophenax hyperboreusThis species closely resembles snow bunting in all plumages, but is whiter overall.
Chestnut-collared LongspurCalcarius ornatusThese birds have a short conical bill, a streaked back and a white tail with a dark tip.
Side by side: Chestnut-collared Longspur vs Thick-billed Longspur · Smith's Longspur vs Thick-billed Longspur
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