longspur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “longspur” mean?
A small, primarily North American seed-eating songbird of the genus Calcarius (and sometimes Rhynchophanes), known for its long hind claw and often inhabiting open grasslands or tundra.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, primarily North American seed-eating songbird of the genus Calcarius (and sometimes Rhynchophanes), known for its long hind claw and often inhabiting open grasslands or tundra.
While primarily an ornithological term, 'longspur' can be used metonymically to represent remote, cold grassland ecosystems or specific birdwatching interests.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in reference to the bird family. However, British speakers encounter it less frequently as the birds are not native to Britain; usage is largely confined to specialist ornithological contexts or references to North American fauna.
Connotations
Neutral technical term. In the UK, it may carry a slight connotation of 'exotic' or 'North American' birdlife.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English. Marginally higher frequency in North America due to the birds' native range, but still a specialist term.
Grammar
How to Use “longspur” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] longspur [VERB in habitat/behaviour].A longspur of the genus Calcarius.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and zoology papers to refer specifically to birds of the genus Calcarius.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of birdwatching communities.
Technical
Core term in field guides, birding checklists, and scientific descriptions of Arctic/sub-Arctic or prairie avifauna.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “longspur”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “longspur”
- Misspelling as 'longspurr' or 'long spur'.
- Using it as a general term for any small brown bird.
- Incorrect capitalisation when not part of a proper name (e.g., 'Lapland Longspur' is correct, but 'I saw a Longspur' is not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are distinct, though both are seed-eating songbirds. Longspurs belong to the family Calcariidae, while sparrows are typically in Passerellidae (New World) or Passeridae (Old World).
Very rarely, and only as accidental vagrants. The Lapland longspur occasionally appears in the UK in winter, but they are primarily North American and Arctic birds.
As a countable noun: 'We added the Smith's longspur to our life list after a trip to Alaska.'
The standard plural is 'longspurs'.
A small, primarily North American seed-eating songbird of the genus Calcarius (and sometimes Rhynchophanes), known for its long hind claw and often inhabiting open grasslands or tundra.
Longspur is usually technical/specialist in register.
Longspur: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒŋspɜː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɔːŋspɝː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: It's a bird with a LONG hind claw, like a SPUR on a boot, that helps it walk on ground (spur = a spike). 'The long-spurred bird runs on the ground.'
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for this highly specific term.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic referenced in the name 'longspur'?