Longspurs

Rattles

Longspur rattles are similar to each other. I find it useful to think of the notes of the Lapland Longspur rattle as being similar to the alarm call of the eastern Winter Wren (June, AK).













The Snow Bunting rattle is mellower and lower. Flock taking flight, also with buzzy calls (Jan, NJ).


rattle











buzzy flock call











probable alarm call at beginning of cut











The Smith's Longspur rattle is higher (June, AK).











McCown's Longspur has a squeaky rattle.


Other calls

Two Lapland Longspur calls (by males) I recorded on the breeding grounds in Alaska were a three-parted jer-hu and a buzzy call, also three-parted, described as foraging calls in BNA (June)






















A less commonly heard call by Smith's Longspurs is an Eastern Meadowlark-like buzz (there is also a clear syu). (Jun, AK)












The common Chestnut-collared Longspur flight call is a cher-dee (bird in flight, May, ND).