Found on Friday, March 4th, 2011 on grounds at the Marathon Motel.
Time of death ~3 days earlier based on dessication.
Cause of death, felis domesticus.
Far west Texas isn't exactly on the range map for Lapland Longspur. Local references suggest that they may occur in the "Region" up to three times per decade.
Identification is nailed with the bicolored outermost tailfeather. The super-long rear toenail gives the 'long-spur' its name, though a fairly useless trait for field identification at hundreds of yards away.
Further discussion to follow at a later date.
Great pictures. Sad ending to such a beautiful bird.
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