California · Winter visitor

Lapland Longspurs in California

When lapland longspurs are present in California, when they nest, which native California plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5a–11a yard.

Longspurs and snow buntings (Calcariidae)Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicus
Status in California
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 5a–11a

When to expect lapland longspurs in California

In California, lapland longspurs are winter visitors rather than breeders. Wet, mild winters are the green season — the busiest time at coastal feeders as sparrows and hummingbirds settle in.

Mediterranean along the coast and Central Valley, alpine in the Sierra Nevada, and desert in the southeast.

Native California plants that attract lapland longspurs

Of the regional native plants we track for California, these 8 provide food or cover lapland longspurs use:

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod
Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Palo verde
Parkinsonia florida · Tree

Seed pods and insect-rich spring bloom.

Prickly pear
Opuntia engelmannii · Shrub

Fruit and seed plus nest sites for Cactus Wrens.

Feeding lapland longspurs through the California year

  • Top foods: Cracked corn, Millet (on bare open ground).
  • In California's winter: Wet, mild winters are the green season — the busiest time at coastal feeders as sparrows and hummingbirds settle in.

Full diet breakdown for lapland longspurs · Best feeder for lapland longspurs

Frequently asked

Are lapland longspurs in California year-round?

No. Lapland Longspurs are winter visitors in California and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract lapland longspurs in California?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rabbitbrush, Palo verde, Prickly pear are native plants in California that provide food or cover for lapland longspurs.

Lapland Longspurs in other regions

Other backyard birds in California

Purple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchPurple FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperRed-winged BlackbirdPine SiskinNorthern MockingbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingSteller's JayCalifornia Scrub-JayMountain ChickadeeChestnut-backed ChickadeeBushtitOak TitmouseJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchAnna's HummingbirdBlack-chinned HummingbirdCosta's HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchCalifornia TowheeSpotted TowheeGambel's QuailCalifornia QuailWestern BluebirdMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeBlack PhoebeAcorn WoodpeckerGila WoodpeckerLadder-backed WoodpeckerNuttall's WoodpeckerCactus WrenVerdinBewick's WrenWhite-crowned SparrowGolden-crowned SparrowFox SparrowVaried ThrushViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveWhite-winged DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWood DuckWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushWinter WrenPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillWestern TanagerHooded OriolePhainopeplaBlack-throated SparrowLark SparrowGreen-tailed TowheeCalifornia ThrasherClark's NutcrackerYellow-billed MagpieWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserBand-tailed PigeonYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerWarbling VireoWestern KingbirdVermilion FlycatcherAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperGreen HeronGreat EgretBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleRed-shouldered HawkMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBarn OwlBurrowing OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerWhite-headed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowVesper SparrowHorned LarkBlue GrosbeakCactus WrenGreater RoadrunnerYellow-billed CuckooYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdGreat-tailed GrackleRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Lapland Longspur — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Lapland Longspur life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Lapland Longspur — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — California
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. 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.