Longspurs and snow buntings (Calcariidae)
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicus. Seeds and, in summer, insects on the tundra.
Longspurs and snow buntings (Calcariidae)Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicus
- Scientific name
- Calcarius lapponicus
- Length
- 5.9–6.3 in
- Weight
- 0.8–1.2 oz
- Nest
- Grass cup sunk in tundra moss
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 10–14 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Streaked brown with a rusty nape
- Breeding male has a black face and yellow bill
- White outer tail feathers
Voice
A dry rattle and a musical 'tee-lew' in flight.
Diet and feeding
Seeds and, in summer, insects on the tundra.
What do lapland longspurs eat? · Best feeder for lapland longspurs
Lapland Longspurs by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Summer breeder | July |
| Alberta | Winter visitor | — |
| California | Winter visitor | — |
| Colorado | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Winter visitor | — |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Manitoba | Winter visitor | — |
| Michigan | Winter visitor | — |
| Minnesota | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Winter visitor | — |
| Nebraska | Winter visitor | — |
| Nevada | Winter visitor | — |
| North Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | July |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | July |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Winter visitor | — |
| Oregon | Winter visitor | — |
| Quebec | Winter visitor | — |
| Saskatchewan | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Winter visitor | — |
| Wyoming | Winter visitor | — |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | July |
Frequently asked
What do lapland longspurs eat?
Seeds and, in summer, insects on the tundra. At feeders: cracked corn, millet (on bare open ground).
How big is a Lapland Longspur?
5.9–6.3 in long and 0.8–1.2 oz.
Do lapland longspurs use birdhouses?
No. Grass cup sunk in tundra moss.
Sources
- Lapland Longspur — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lapland Longspur life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lapland Longspur — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.