Oregon · Winter visitor

Lapland Longspurs in Oregon

When lapland longspurs are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.

Longspurs and snow buntings (Calcariidae)Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicus
Status in Oregon
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 4b–9b

When to expect lapland longspurs in Oregon

In Oregon, lapland longspurs are winter visitors rather than breeders. Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.

Native Oregon plants that attract lapland longspurs

Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, 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.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all 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.

Feeding lapland longspurs through the Oregon year

  • Top foods: Cracked corn, Millet (on bare open ground).
  • In Oregon's winter: Mild, rainy winters in the Willamette Valley; cold, snowy winters east of the Cascades.

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

Frequently asked

Are lapland longspurs in Oregon year-round?

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

What native plants attract lapland longspurs in Oregon?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for lapland longspurs.

Lapland Longspurs in other regions

Other backyard birds in Oregon

Black-capped ChickadeePurple MartinDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchPurple FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperRed-winged BlackbirdEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinGray CatbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingSteller's JayWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBlack-billed MagpieCanada JayMountain ChickadeeChestnut-backed ChickadeeBushtitOak TitmouseJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchAnna's HummingbirdBlack-chinned HummingbirdRufous HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchCalifornia TowheeSpotted TowheeCalifornia QuailWestern BluebirdMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeBlack PhoebeBewick's WrenWhite-crowned SparrowGolden-crowned SparrowFox SparrowVaried ThrushViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-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 CrossbillGray CatbirdWestern TanagerLark SparrowGreen-tailed TowheeClark's NutcrackerWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserBand-tailed PigeonYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerWarbling VireoWestern KingbirdAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperGreen HeronGreat EgretBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBarn OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerWhite-headed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingHorned LarkBohemian WaxwingBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdRock 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 — Oregon
  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.