#calcarius

[herpsandbirds]

Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus), male, family Calcariidae, order Passeriformes, on the tundra of northern Alaska

The birds in this family (the longspurs and snow bunting) were formerly in the Old World bunting and finch family Emberizidae, but were elevated to their own family in 2008.

photograph by Grace Scalzo

[hello-birdies]

Calcarius ornatus by Markus Lilje

[herpsandbirds]

Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus), male, family Calcariidae, order Passeriformes, found in the north-central plains of the US, central Canada, and parts of eastern Alaska

Found in open grassy habitats.

Feed mainly on seeds, but also eats insects.

Formerly in the Old World Bunting family, family Emberizidae, they are now in their own family (which includes Sno Buntings).

The males are more colorful than the females.

ALL NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NAMED AFTER PEOPLE ARE BEING RENAMED...

What should we name this bird?

photograph by Jared Hughey

[hello-birdies]

Calcarius pictus by Jared Hughey

[hello-birdies]

Calcarius lapponicus by Hans Norelius

[ankhanu]

I’d never seen a lapland longspur (_Calcaius_lapponicus_) before. This little guy had me and a couple coworkers running through potential sparrow IDs for a bit. #birds #Calcarius #Calcariidae #nature #ParksCanada #CapeBretonHighlands (at Cape Breton Highlands National Park)

[dendroica]

Lapland Longspur in the Meadowlands (by me)

[olemon]

The Island of Öland, Smedby church: Baptismal font (lime stone) by Calcarius, early 13th century, Parrot, a wood fragment & Carl Linnaeus sketches of the 12th century church, disused in mid 19th century.