Perching

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Phainopepla ornatus
Chestnut-collared Longspur thumbnail
Length: 6 in. (15 cm )
This ground bird spends both the winter and summer in short-grass prairies and barren fields. During the winter the Chestnut-collared Longspur is almost always found in flocks of five to 50 individuals and frequently associates with Horned Larks and McCown\'s Longspurs. In the summer the male sings its courtship song in a low ascending flight over the territory. Seeds are the main fare in the winter, but insects are more important in the summer. Males look like females during the winter. The nest is a shallow depression in the ground and hidden under a bunch of grass.

The four-digit banding code is CCLO.

Male | Brian Small(link is external)

Female | Jim Burns(link is external)



Agricultural

Grasslands
Download Sound
Bird Sound Type: Twittering
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
Sonogram Zoom:

View Citation

Illustration of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Why is Rudolph's nose red?
Answer >>

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

 

Share to Google Classroom