McCown's Longspur (Calcarius mccownii (away from SE Arizona)), Rousseau Sod Farm, Maricopa County

Three McCown's Longspurs were found by Roy Jones on 19 November 2009 a the Rousseau Sod Farms in Scottsdale.  They were refound and photographed by James McKay on 22 November 2009.

This species has been decreasing in Arizona.  Irregularly found in large flocks of Chestnut-collarded Longspurs in the Sulfur Springs and San Rafael Valleys of SE Arizona, it is casual elsewhere.  These is only one record mentioned in Witzeman et al. (1996) for Maricopa County from 1979.  However, the Rousseau sod farms were discovered by birders in 2000 and there have been reports of small numbers of McCown's (up to 15 birds) at this location at least from 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2007.  This site is underbirded and these birds may go undetected. 

A large-headed, plain-faced, pink billed longspur with a smudgy breast band.  Note length and spacing of primaries in last photo. 

22 November 2009, photo by James McKay

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