Which Longspur? (1 Viewer)

[lassa8]

Photographed in a field containing multiple longspur species in Missouri this month. After taking the photograph the bird turned and showed its clearly showed its breast, clinching my ID, but based on this photograph which species would you go with and why?

 

[Andy Hurley]

To me and I probably wrong, its either an American Pipit or a Sprague's, I would say the latter because of the super goes all the way back and joins the other white band making an almost circular white setting for the cheek.

Andy

ps I dont know where Arizona is precisely, just that its SW so not sure if the range is good for Sprague's Pipit

 

[Simon Wates]

I'm not experienced with the Longspurs but it looks like a Smith's Longspur. Primary projection and spacing, rather thin bill, pale eye ring and the fine streaks on flanks seem to fit. Isn't it a scarcity in Arizona?

 

[chris butterworth]

That rather pale face / 'hollow' earcoverts looks right for Smith's Longspur

Chris

 

[KenM]

On pp, head pattern and mantle, it fits Smith's...and I assume that Missouri is within their regular wintering range.

cheers

 

[Andy Hurley]

I see what you mean by Smith's now. In my guide, ABC's All the Birds of North America, the super looks decidedly tan in colour. Maybe I need a better guide as its not the first time that colours don't appear to be true, at least in my eyes.

Andy

 

[chris butterworth]

Most field guides tend to make the colours warmer ( I don't know why, unless the publishers think it maked the birds look better! )but the overall shape, particularly of the bill says Bunting / Longspur and then the general pattern of the markings gives you the species. It's best not to rely solely on the colours shown. Chris

 

[Andy Hurley]

Cheers Chris.

Andy

 

[lassa8]

Well done! It is, in fact, a Smith's Longspur. I'd say that they're slightly less than annual in this part of Missouri, but a nice little flock of ~12 birds (plus a few Lapland Longspurs) spent the weekend nearby.

 

[whitetail]

Just where in Mo.? Was it here?
http://www.photosbyat.com/gallery/16171350_FaAZj
I took hundreds of photos and was disappointed viewing in camera that I couldn't find a Smith's, all looked like Laplands. But when processing I couldn't find one Lapland in the bunch, go figure.