Smith's Longspur
Calcarius pictus
Sparrowlike ground dweller; crouches low to the ground and walks with pattering footsteps. Breeding male is a unique deep yellow-orange with black-and-white head pattern. Females and nonbreeding birds are more subtle but typically buffier than other longspurs. Also look for long wingtips, thin white eyering, and blurry streaks below. Breeds on Arctic tundra. In winter, look for small flocks in fields with short grass and exposed soil. Not found in mixed flocks. Rattle call similar to Lapland Longspur.
Identification
These birds have short cone-shaped bills, streaked backs, and dark tails with white outer rectrices. In breeding state plumage (mostly formed by worn basic plumage), the male has a pumpkin-orange throat, nape, and underparts contrasting with an intricate black-and-white face pattern. The white lesser coverts are quite pronounced on a male in spring and early summer. Females and immatures have lightly streaked buffy underparts, dark crowns, brown wings with less obvious white lesser coverts, and a light-colored face. The tail is identical at all ages.<p>Measurements:
Taxonomy
Genus: Calcarius; Family: Calcariidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Calcarius pictus
- Authority
- (Swainson, 1832)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Calcariidae
- Genus
- Calcarius
Range and habitat
This bird breeds in open grassy areas near the tree line in northern Canada and Alaska. In winter, they congregate in open fields, including airports, in the south-central United States. Migration is elliptical, with northbound birds staging in Illinois in the spring and southbound birds flying over the Great Plains in the fall.
- Breeding range
- NA : n Alaska and Canada; se Alaska and w Canada
- Non-breeding range
- sc USA
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Haliaeetus leucoryphus
A pale-headed raptor of inland marshes and lakes. Tends to be uncommon and thinly distributed throughout its range. Adult is dark brown above with a paler belly and dirty-gray head. When in flight from below, a broad white band on the dark tail is the most eye-catching feature. Juveniles have an all-dark tail, but have two bright white panels on the undersides of the wingtips; this patterning can be similar to that of some kites, but the fish-eagle is much larger, with a longer-winged and comparatively shorter-tailed profile.
Greater Hoopoe-Lark
Alaemon alaudipes
A unique, large desert lark. On the ground, plumage is unimpressive with spotted breast and overall sandy tones, but in flight a magnificent white-and-black pattern is exposed. Males are slightly brighter-patterned than females. Bill is long and downcurved. Constantly runs on its long legs. Breeds on sandy and stony plains and low hills. Resident or nomadic. Song is a beautiful ascending series on flutey whistles followed by a descending trill; often given in a dramatic vertical display flight.
Purple Quail-Dove
Geotrygon purpurata
Stunning dove found in very wet rainforest in the lowlands and foothills of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. Notable features include a chestnut back, pale belly, golden neck patches, and a striking head pattern. Might be confused with the duller Olive-backed Quail-Dove in dark forest, where color is not easy to discern; note the neck patches and stronger contrast between white forehead and darker crown on Purple Quail-Dove. Usually encountered alone, quietly walking along the forest floor. May ascend to a low perch when flushed or when it sings—a soft whistle repeated every few seconds.
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