Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species: Chestnut-collared Longspur (male)

Reporter: Jay Carlisle

989 W. Sherwood, Boise, ID 83706 jaycarlisle@boisestate.edu

Other Observers: Emily Carson

Date Report Prepared: 6/26/10

Date Sighting Occurred: 4/25/09

Locality of Observation: BLM grasslands (Long-billed Curlew ACEC) N of Middleton

Habitat: extensive, rolling cheatgrass-dominated grassland

Conditions: clear & sunny

Did you take notes: no

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?

yes

What guide(s) or reference(s) did you consult?

Sibley & National Geographic

Description: While scanning thru a flock of pipits, Emily spotted this bird and asked what it was. I looked and saw the combination of black chest, reddish collar, yellowish chin, and patterned face and got really excited.

Behavior: The pipits and longspur fed by walking through the grass and picking at items. While we watched (~ 20 min), we heard the longspur give a rattle-like call a few times and it sang 2x (song somewhat reminiscent of a Western Meadowlark).

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? When I saw the bird naked-eye, I was suspicious. Then, through binoculars I was able to observe the diagnostic features mentioned above.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they?

Seen well, no species are really similar to a male Chestnut-collared Longspur b/c of the combination of black chest, reddish collar, yellow on the chin/throat, etc.

Experience with this species (and similar species):

I’ve seen 100s of Chestnut-collared Longspurs – mostly in South Dakota but also in Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and Colorado … and once in Louisiana.

General birding experience: extensive; 14+ years in US and Latin America

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? (If yes, please include or attach) Yes – 3 pictures. See attached, including one that has an American Pipit in the foreground for reference.

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