Lapland Longspurs in Alaska
When lapland longspurs are present in Alaska, when they nest, which native Alaska plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 1a–8a yard.
- Status in Alaska
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1a–8a
When to expect lapland longspurs in Alaska
Lapland Longspurs are summer residents in Alaska, arriving shortly before nesting begins in July and leaving after the young are independent.
Subarctic interior, temperate rainforest in the Southeast panhandle, and Arctic tundra on the North Slope.
Nesting in Alaska
Across Alaska, lapland longspurs typically nest from July. Plan around that window: June for setup, July for clean-out.
A short, explosive summer with near-continuous daylight compresses nesting into a few weeks.
- Lapland Longspurs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, willow (bebb), dwarf birch for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Alaska plants that attract lapland longspurs
Of the regional native plants we track for Alaska, these 4 provide food or cover lapland longspurs use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Feeding lapland longspurs through the Alaska year
- Top foods: Cracked corn, Millet (on bare open ground).
- In Alaska's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for lapland longspurs · Best feeder for lapland longspurs
Frequently asked
Are lapland longspurs in Alaska year-round?
No. Lapland Longspurs are summer breeders in Alaska and leave for the winter.
When do lapland longspurs nest in Alaska?
Nesting in Alaska typically runs July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 10–14 days.
What native plants attract lapland longspurs in Alaska?
Paper birch, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Alaska that provide food or cover for lapland longspurs.
Lapland Longspurs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Alaska
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alaska
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.