Calcariidae - Longspurs, Snow Buntings
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There are six species of migratory birds in this family. The snow bunting and Lapland longspur are found in North America and Eurasia. The other four species are only found in North America.
The birds in this family have brown, gray and white plumage. They eat seeds, grasses and insects.
Longspurs get their name from the long claw on their hind toe.
The birds in this family were once in the Emberizidae family, but DNA analysis has shown that similarities are superficial and not genetic.
World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct Not Enough Data
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.
U.S. Status Key
Threatened in US Endangered in US Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile. |
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New Hampshire Status Key
Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Breeds in NH (birds)
Status taken from NH Fish and Game |
Location Key
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image
Other Species Around the World
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Additional Information
Key: Profile Photos Video Audio
Lapland Longspur -Calcarius lapponicus
The Lapland longspur breeds in the Arctic tundra.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Lapland Longspur -Calcarius lapponicus
The Lapland longspur forages on the ground for seeds and insects.
Source: National Audubon Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis
The snow bunting breeds in the Arctic tundra.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis
The snow bunting is also know as "snowflakes" because of their white plumage.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis
The snow bunting migrates in large flocks.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Smith's Longspur - Calcarius pictus
Smith's longspur breeds in Alaska and northern Canada. It winters in Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Smith's Longspur - Calcarius pictus
Smith's longspur breed in colonies. and the female may mate with more than one male.
Source: National Audubon Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Chestnut-collared Longspur - Calcarius ornatus
The chestnut collared longspur is breeds in the prairies of Canada and Great Plains of the United States. It winters as far south as Mexico.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Chestnut-collared Longspur - Calcarius ornatus
During the breeding season the male chestnut collared longspur has a black belly.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mckay's Bunting - Plectrophenax hyperboreus
McKay's bunting nests on remote St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea. It winters along the west Alaska coast.
Source: National Audubon Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
McCown's Longspur - Rhynchophanes mccownii
McCown's longspur breeds in the Great Plains. It winters as for south as Mexico. It is also found in Manitoba and Alberta, Canada.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
McCown's Longspur - Rhynchophanes mccownii
McCown's longspur eats seeds and insects. It forages on the ground for its food and will flush out insects and chase them down.
Source: National Audubon Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
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