Longspurs and Snow Buntings

The Calcariidae are ground-living small birds found in open, treeless areas across the Northern Hemisphere. These compact birds, about the size of sparrows, have different feather patterns for breeding and non-breeding times. Males usually show strong black, white, and reddish-brown markings in summer, while females and birds in winter have streaked, camouflaged feathers. All species have long back claws, especially noticeable in longspurs. In Britain, the Snow Bunting is an uncommon visitor in winter and a rare breeder in the Scottish mountains. Longspurs are very rare visitors from North America. The family prefers Arctic tundra, mountain areas, and northern grasslands during the breeding season. In winter, they move to coastal beaches, harvested fields, and edges of moorlands. They mainly eat seeds and small animals like insects. Outside the breeding season, they often gather in loose groups. Their flight is usually bouncy, and their unique call sounds help people recognise them.