Lapland Longspurs in Kansas
When lapland longspurs are present in Kansas, when they nest, which native Kansas plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5b–7a yard.
- Status in Kansas
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
When to expect lapland longspurs in Kansas
In Kansas, lapland longspurs are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold, dry winters with strong wind; windbreaks and evergreens are prime roost cover.
Continental — humid tallgrass Flint Hills in the east to semi-arid shortgrass prairie in the west.
Native Kansas plants that attract lapland longspurs
Of the regional native plants we track for Kansas, these 8 provide food or cover lapland longspurs use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Feeding lapland longspurs through the Kansas year
- Top foods: Cracked corn, Millet (on bare open ground).
- In Kansas's winter: Cold, dry winters with strong wind; windbreaks and evergreens are prime roost cover.
Full diet breakdown for lapland longspurs · Best feeder for lapland longspurs
Frequently asked
Are lapland longspurs in Kansas year-round?
No. Lapland Longspurs are winter visitors in Kansas and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract lapland longspurs in Kansas?
Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Sugar maple are native plants in Kansas that provide food or cover for lapland longspurs.
Lapland Longspurs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Kansas
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 — Kansas
- 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.