Nevada · Winter visitor

Lapland Longspurs in Nevada

When lapland longspurs are present in Nevada, when they nest, which native Nevada plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–10a yard.

Longspurs and snow buntings (Calcariidae)Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicus
Status in Nevada
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 4a–10a

When to expect lapland longspurs in Nevada

In Nevada, lapland longspurs are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold, dry winters in Reno and the north; mild winters in the south.

Great Basin cold desert in the north and Mojave hot desert around Las Vegas.

Native Nevada plants that attract lapland longspurs

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

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

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.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Prickly pear
Opuntia engelmannii · Shrub

Fruit and seed plus nest sites for Cactus Wrens.

Willow (Bebb)
Salix bebbiana · Shrub

Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.

Feeding lapland longspurs through the Nevada year

  • Top foods: Cracked corn, Millet (on bare open ground).
  • In Nevada's winter: Cold, dry winters in Reno and the north; mild winters in the south.

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

Frequently asked

Are lapland longspurs in Nevada year-round?

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

What native plants attract lapland longspurs in Nevada?

Wild bergamot, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush, Prickly pear, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Nevada that provide food or cover for lapland longspurs.

Lapland Longspurs in other regions

Other backyard birds in Nevada

Black-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperRed-winged BlackbirdEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinNorthern MockingbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBlack-billed MagpieMountain ChickadeeBushtitJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchAnna's HummingbirdBlack-chinned HummingbirdBroad-tailed HummingbirdCosta's HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchSpotted TowheeGambel's QuailCalifornia QuailWestern BluebirdMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeBlack PhoebeGila WoodpeckerLadder-backed WoodpeckerCactus WrenVerdinBewick's WrenWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveWhite-winged DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillWestern TanagerHooded OriolePhainopeplaBlack-throated SparrowLark SparrowGreen-tailed TowheePinyon JayClark's NutcrackerWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserBand-tailed PigeonYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdVermilion FlycatcherAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBurrowing OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerWhite-headed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingHorned LarkBlue GrosbeakWhite-winged CrossbillGray-crowned Rosy-FinchBohemian WaxwingCactus WrenGreater RoadrunnerBobolinkYellow-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 — Nevada
  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.