Breeding male © Andrew Spencer eBird S31026467 Macaulay Library ML 32239531
Nonbreeding adult/immature © Luke Seitz
Breeding female © Historical Middleton Island Data
Nonbreeding adult/immature © Justyn Stahl
Breeding male © Ian Davies
+ 4
Nonbreeding adult/immature © Luke Seitz
Nonbreeding adult/immature © Michael Todd
Breeding male © Josiah Verbrugge

Smith's Longspur Calcarius pictus

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Identification

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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.

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