Chestnut-collared Longspur

The Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) is a small, ground-dwelling songbird native to the Great Plains of North America. It belongs to the family Calcariidae, a group of open-country passerines characterized by an elongated claw on their hind toe (the 'longspur'). During the breeding season, the male undergoes a dramatic transformation, sporting a vivid plumage of deep black, warm buff, and a signature chestnut collar. Highly specialized to native grasslands, this species serves as an indicator of healthy, diverse prairie ecosystems. Sadly, like many grassland birds, its populations have declined significantly due to habitat fragmentation and agriculture.

Identifying the Chestnut-collared Longspur is easiest during the breeding season, but key features remain visible year-round.

Breeding Male

• Nape: A rich, rufous or chestnut-colored collar wraps around the back of the neck.
• Underparts: Solid, velvety black breast and belly, contrasting sharply with a buff or pale yellow throat.
• Face: Bold facial pattern with black eye-stripe and pale buff cheek.

Female and Non-Breeding Birds

• Overall: Cryptic, streaked grayish-brown overall, resembling a sparrow.
• Tails (All Plumages): The tail is a diagnostic field mark in flight. Look for a distinctive white tail with a dark, inverted 'T' shape in the center. This separates it from other longspurs.

Similar Species

• Thick-billed Longspur (formerly McCown's): Male has a gray neck collar (not chestnut), and the tail shows more white with an inverted 'T' that has a much narrower central bar.
• Lapland Longspur: Breeding male has a black face and throat (not buff/yellow) and less white in the tail. It is typically found in wetter or more northern habitats.
• Smith's Longspur: Has a solid buffy-orange underside and lacks the black belly.

The Chestnut-collared Longspur is a obligate grassland specialist, requiring flat to gently rolling shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies.

Breeding Habitat

Unlike some grassland birds that prefer tall cover, this species thrives in sparse, low vegetation. They favor areas with short grass (frequently under 30 cm) and dry conditions, often selecting fields that have been recently grazed by cattle or bison, or areas recovering from wildfires.

Range and Migration

• Breeding Range: Spanned across the northern Great Plains, including southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas.
• Wintering Range: Migrates south to winter in the southern United States (western Texas, New Mexico, southern Arizona) and northern Mexico, where they utilize desert grasslands and agricultural fields with low stubble.

The behavior of the Chestnut-collared Longspur is heavily adapted to life on the open ground.

Vocalizations and Flight Displays

During the spring, males perform spectacular aerial displays to defend territory and attract mates. The male flies up to 10–15 meters in the air, then spreads his wings and tail, singing a sweet, bubbling song while slowly parachuting back to the ground. Their flight call is a dry, two-syllabled 'kiddle, kiddle' or 'kittle' that is highly diagnostic.

Feeding and Diet

These birds forage exclusively on the ground, walking or running through sparse vegetation rather than hopping. During the breeding season, they eat beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, and other insects to feed their young. In the fall and winter, their diet shifts almost entirely to seeds of grasses and weedy forbs.

Nesting

Nests are built entirely by the female on the ground, usually placed in a shallow depression (scrape) natural to the landscape. The nest is often sheltered next to a grass clump or dried cow manure. She lines the cup with fine grasses, rootlets, and animal hair to protect the 3 to 5 speckled eggs.