Rhynchophanes mccownii
The Thick-billed Longspur (Rhynchophanes mccownii), formerly known as McCown's Longspur, is a charismatic, ground-dwelling passerine endemic to the North American shortgrass prairies. Males in breeding plumage are strikingly marked with a distinctive black cap, white malar stripe, prominent chestnut lesser coverts (shoulder patch), and a unique black 'T' pattern on their otherwise white outer tail feathers. They typically measure 14-16 cm (5.5-6.3 in) in length, with a wingspan of 26-28 cm (1...
Found primarily in arid and semi-arid shortgrass prairies, short-grass steppe, and rangelands, often with scattered bare ground and short vegetation. Occupies low to moderate elevations across its range.
Primarily granivorous, feeding heavily on the seeds of various grasses and forbs, supplemented with insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. Forages by gleaning from the ground.
This diurnal species is largely ground-dwelling, often walking or running rather than hopping, and roosts on the ground, sometimes in small depressions. Foraging involves meticulously walking through short grass, gleaning seeds and insects directly from the ground or low vegetation. During the br...
The breeding range of the Thick-billed Longspur is centered on the shortgrass prairies of North America, extending from south-central Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan) south into the north-central United States, encompassing eastern Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and northea...
Vulnerable
- The species was formerly known as McCown's Longspur, named after American army officer and naturalist, John P. McCown. - Its distinctive black 'T' pattern on a white tail is unique among all North American birds, making it a key identification mark. - Males perform a spectacular 'butterfly flig...