Rhynchophanes mccownii
male
McCown’s Longspur sexes are dissimilar. Summer adult males have a streaked buff back and a chestnut band (median coverts) on the wings. The head is palest on the throat and around the eye, and it has a black cap and malar stripe. There is a broad, dark breast band and the underparts are otherwise pale but with dark-flecked flanks. Adult males at other times of the year are similar, but black plumage elements are masked by pale feather fringes. Adult females are similar to a non-breeding male but have a brown breast; they are palest in winter. Juveniles are similar to a winter female, but with pale feather margins on the back and more obvious streaking on the underparts. All birds have a mostly white tail with a black inverted “T” (central feathers and feather tips).
McCown’s Longspur breeds in northern prairie grassland mainly from April to August. Outside the breeding season it forms flocks and migrates south; its winter range extends from southern U.S.A. to northern Mexico. Because of habitat loss its population is in decline.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6 in (15 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates in summer; seeds at other times
HABITAT Shortgrass prairie in summer; short grassland in winter
STATUS Generally rather scarce summer visitor; local in winter
VOICE Song is series of chattering, warbling phrases, often delivered in flight. Call is a rattle, delivered in flight
