Longspurs, along with the Snow Bunting constitute the family Calcariidae.which was split off from the sparrow family Emberizidae in 2010. It is a small family with only 6 species worldwide. 'Longspur' refers to the long claw on the hind toe of each foot .
Lapland Longspur breed across the Arctic and, in North America migrate south to the northern US.

McCown's Longspur, I see recently had its genus changed to Rhyncophanes reflecting a closer relationship to Snow Buntings. More recently, since the discoverer , McCown fought in the Confederacy, pressure has resulted in the American Ornithological Union changing the common name to Thick-billed Longspur and other organizations are expected to follow. T At some point I may update all my images to coincide, but here they are now. They nest in short-grass plains in the northern US and southern Canada and winter in Texas and Mexico.

Smith's Longspur breeds in northern Canada and Alaska, wintering in the southern US.
Having many more shots, the Snow Bunting gets its own page gallery.