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Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Breeding Location:

Tundra



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Common to abundant



Egg Color:

Pale to gray green with brown and black markings



Number of Eggs:

4 - 7



Incubation Days:

10 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grass, lichens, moss and rootlets.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Lapland Longspur: Medium sparrow-like bird, brown-streaked black back. Underparts are white, streaked black on sides, flanks. Crown, face, and throat are black; nape is red-brown. Broad white stripe from eye to sides of breast. Bill is yellow with dark tip. Tail is long, white edges.

Range and Habitat

Lapland Longspur: Breeds from Aleutians, Alaska, and Arctic islands to northern Quebec. Winters regularly throughout northern states to California, Texas, and New York.; also in northern Eurasia. Nests on Arctic tundra; in migration stays on alpine meadows. Winters on farm fields, pastures, grasslands, and grassy coastal dunes.

Breeding and Nesting

Lapland Longspur: Four to seven pale to gray-green eggs with brown and black markings are laid in a ground depression lined with grass, lichens, moss, and rootlets. Incubation ranges from 10 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Lapland Longspur: Feeds on insects and spiders; also eats seeds; forages on the ground and in snow.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Lapland Longspur: Flight song is a rapid warbling. Call is a musical "tee-lee-oo" or "tee-dle", or dry rattling "drit-ri-it."

Similar Species

Lapland Longspur: Smith's Longspur is buff overall and has small, white wing patches.

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Family
Species Calcarius lapponicus
Length6 - 7 Inches
Wingspan11.125 Inches

Lapland Longspur

Lapland Longspur: Medium sparrow-like bird, brown-streaked black back. Underparts are white, streaked black on sides, flanks. Crown, face, and throat are black; nape is red-brown. Broad white stripe from eye to sides of breast. Bill is yellow with dark tip. Tail is long, white edges.

● Song: "tee-lee-oo", "tee-dle"

● Foraging & Feeding: Lapland Longspur: Feeds on insects and spiders; also eats seeds; forages on the ground and in snow.

● Breeding & nesting: Lapland Longspur: Four to seven pale to gray-green eggs with brown and black markings are laid in a ground depression lined with grass, lichens, moss, and rootlets. Incubation ranges from 10 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Lapland Longspur: Smith's Longspur is buff overall and has small, white wing patches.

Flight Pattern

Alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.
Lapland Longspur Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Lapland Longspur: Breeds from Aleutians, Alaska, and Arctic islands to northern Quebec. Winters regularly throughout northern states to California, Texas, and New York.; also in northern Eurasia. Nests on Arctic tundra; in migration stays on alpine meadows. Winters on farm fields, pastures, grasslands, and grassy coastal dunes.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationCommon to abundant
MigrationMigratory
Weight1 Ounces