Longspurs · Perching birds
Lapland Longspur
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Calcarius lapponicus
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Voice
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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15–16 cm, sturdy bunting-like shape
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Breeding male: black head and throat, white eye stripe
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Rufous nape, heavily streaked black-grey back
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Flight calls: short sharp "teeww", "prrrrt", "triiiuuu"
About the species
In winter, Lapland Longspurs move in loose flocks and keep mostly to the ground, picking up seeds and then shifting to a new patch after a short while. In breeding season they switch to insects, and the males sing in flight with sharp, short notes.
They nest on the ground in wet tundra, marshy places, and grassy slopes with low cover. The call is a hard "prrrrt", often with a nasal "teeww" before it.
It breeds across Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, and spends the colder months farther south, including fields and open country. Its diet is mostly seeds in winter and arthropods in summer.
Where to find
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On open vacant lots, field edges, and broad grassy patches near the city — where trees are scarce, Lapland Longspurs feed on seeds straight from the ground and make short runs between clumps of grass.
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Along wet meadow fringes, drainage ditches, and low damp ground, listen for the thin flight call and watch for quick low passes just above the turf.
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In autumn and winter, check stubble fields on the outskirts — small flocks often stay put for a while, picking grain from the soil.
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On windy embankments and rough grassy wasteland, they often sit low, then burst up in a loose wave when feeding.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Calcarius lapponicus Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Lapland longspur Encyclopedia article