Within wintering flocks of Horned Larks in the valleys of eastern Oregon, and along flats bordering coastal estuaries in the fall, it is sometimes possible to find flocks of this large arctic-breeding sparrow.

Their habit of running along the ground in a crouch rather than flying makes them a challenge to observe, but in flight their characteristic rattling call is unmistakable. Otherwise, in fall and winter plumage, they appear as brownish streaked sparrows. In flight their dark tail with white sides is conspicuous.

Along the outer Oregon coast, the Lapland longspur is an uncommon but regular fall migrant, especially at the south jetty of the Columbia River. They are irregular on the coast in winter and spring. The longspur is regularly reported in eastern Oregon, but numbers vary from year to year.

Hear the song of the Lapland longspur

Photo by Zac Pohlen, Flickr