Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-03
| Common name: |
Chestnut-collared Longspur |
| Scientific name: | Calcarius ornatus |
| Date: | 1/9/2023 |
| Time: | 1:30~pm |
| Length of time observed: | Off and on for 45 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | male |
| Location: | Blue Creek Valley |
| County: | Box Elder |
| Latilong: | 41.737670, -112.453931 |
| Elevation: | 4,500ft~ |
| Distance to bird: | 20m at closest |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x42 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Overcast, 32F, calm and snowing |
| Light Conditions: | flat light but OK |
| Description: Size of bird: | small passerine |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | passerine |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | mostly brownish |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | stout, grainivore |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
While driving a dirt road through wheat stubble looking for Larks and
Longspurs, I flushed a flock of 70~ birds from the roadside, much to my
surprise it was a flock composed completely of Longspurs, mostly
Lapland! They were fairly tame and obliging allow close approach so I
got out of the car and started looking through them with the binos.
While doing this I heard the distinctive squeaky "Kettle" flight call of
a Chestnut-collared Longspur. It took me a few minutes but eventually I
got eyes on it flying and watched it land in tumbleweeds on the side of
road and got good looks. Then the flocks would flush, fly around and
re-land and I was able to find the CCLO among them again. This happened
at least 4 times, always clued into its location in flight by the kettle
call. ID points noted-White tail with a black triangle in the center from underneath(much more white than surrounding Laplands), sooty belly, buff throat, weak facial stripes and plain brown back with wingbars. Lacking the contrasty white belly, auriculars and rusty tones of the Lapland. Chestnut nape and dark bill visible in photos but not noted in the field. Photos also show 3 white feathers in spread tail. Presumably a basic plumage adult male by the black sooty belly and chestnut nape. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | I heard the distinctive squeaky "kettle" flight call 1st, and then several more times, infact the flight call is always what got me on the bird, I could hear it then would look for it in flight and watch it fly and then land among the Laplands. |
| Behavior: |
Feeding in wheat stubble and tumbleweeds on the side of a dirt road, mixed in
with a large flock of Lapland Longspurs |
| Habitat: | Mix of wheat fields with some grassy pastures nearby |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Lapland Longspur-direct comparison, much more richly colored with rusty brown,
white and black. White belly, black streaks on flanks, pink bill, only 1 white
feather in outer tail feathers, different flight rattle calls Thick-billed Longspur-big pink bill, large headed look, white tail with black T pattern, no white wingbars, pale belly, different flight rattle calls Smith's Longspur-pink bill, buff belly, less white in tail, different flight rattle calls |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, my 3rd time observing this species, all in Utah. Lapland longspurs observed every winter over the past 10 years, Thick-billed several times as well. None with Smith's. |
| References consulted: | Memory and Macaulay Library photos |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None that I know of |
| Date prepared: | 1/9/23 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |
eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S125819129 |