Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Thick-billed Longspur
Scientific name:	Rhynchophanes mccownii
Date:	11/13/2025
Time:	7:45am~
Length of time observed:	15 minutes
Number:	2
Age:	1 Adult Male, 1 unknown
Sex:	1 male, other unknown
Location:	Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve (TNC Private Property)
County:	Davis
Latilong:	41.051516, -112.075895
Elevation:	4200~
Distance to bird:	6m at closest
Optical equipment:	Nikon 10x42 binoculars
Weather:	Sunny, cool 37F, calm winds
Light Conditions:	Excelent, the sun had just rose and the birds were mostly to my west and SW
Description: Size of bird:	small songbird
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Plump and compact
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	mostly dull brownish
(Description:) Bill Type:	Stout, grainivoir
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I was doing our monthly Non-breeding Survey of the TNC Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve (Tracy Aviary Conservation is contracted to do Breeding and Non-breeding Surveys of the Preserve), and had just arrived at the trailhead and was walking the gravel road into the pastures and wetlands, when I noticed some movement on the side of the road in the pickleweed 10m ahead, it was a flock of Horned Larks running through the short cropped veg. I began to count them when suddenly they flushed, 10, no 20, no 30, more... I then heard the distinctive rattle call of a Longspur, which often associate with Horned Larks. By call alone I wasn't sure what species, particularly Lapland and Thich-billed sound very similar. But I was able to get on a Longspur, smaller and shorter tailed than the Larks, I watched it land, and bingo, I saw the tail spread as it landed, mostly white with a dark line down the middle and a dark edge on the tip, the unique unmistakable tail pattern of a Thick-billed Longspur. I approached where it landed, just as I got close they all flushed again, I was able to get on it again due to the rattle calls, then I watched it land on the playa to my west. Then I picked it out in some short grass and got excellent looks and it was fairly tame and allowed a very close approach. Overall a very chunky Longspur with a big head and very stout pink bill. No black in the face, flanks or belly, just plain buffy brown, but It did have a black chevron on the chest. Faint malar and supercilium giving it blank faced look. It also showed a deep rusty bar on the wing. Presumably an adult male based on the black chevron. I watched it for some time, getting photos and video, then it flushed and flew again, but landed just a short distance away in some grass on the road side. I approached where it landed and one popped up on some gravel, then went down into the grass. But this one didn't have the black chevron so it wasn't the same bird, when it went into the grass it joined another, which did have the chevron, and they feed together for a few minutes. I then resumed my survey of the site. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	I was 1st alerted to their presence by their flight rattle calls, which they made in flight, then I was able to get on them and watch them land. They were silent on the ground.
Behavior:	Associating with a large flock of 50~ Horned Larks, watched them fly, feed in grass on seeds and just run and perch in gravel
Habitat:	Barren grazed pasture and playa, some wetlands nearby. Much short heavily cropped grass(mostly Wall Barley), nothing over 6inch tall, some pickleweed, lots of barren hardpan playa and a gravel road. Large heard of cattle grazing nearby.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Lapland Longspur-show bold black auriculars, a white belly with black streaked flanks, white wing bars and a rusty nape. Smaller pink bill. Less white in tail. Chestnut-collared Longspur-Male show a rusty nape and blackish belly. All have smaller dark bill, white wingbars and less white in tail, different squeaky flight calls very distinctive. Snow Bunting-mostly white, black wing tips, smaller orange bill. Smith's Longspur-smaller bill, white wingbars, less white in tail Horned Lark-larger and longer tailed, most show a black mask and crown. Black tail and white belly
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Yes many
References consulted:	Sibley and Merlin Apps in the field
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Bryant Olsen
Observer's address:	84102
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None, private property with no public access
Date prepared:	11/14/25
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S284294850