Lapland Longspur Bird Facts (Calcarius lapponicus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Lapland Longspur is a small, stocky bird with a distinctive appearance. Males in breeding plumage have a striking black face and throat, contrasting with a white eyestripe and chestnut nape. Their upperparts are streaked brown, while the underparts are white with black streaks on the flanks.

Females and non-breeding males are less conspicuous, with brown-streaked upperparts and buffy underparts. Both sexes have a yellowish bill with a dark tip and black legs. In flight, their white outer tail feathers are noticeable.

Juvenile Lapland longspurs resemble non-breeding males but are altogether darker and more streaked and have less vibrant markings with browner tones.

Size

Length

15cm to 16cm

Wingspan

22cm to 28cm

Weight

20g to 35g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Black White

Secondary Colour

Buff Rufous

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Yellow

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Lapland Longspur can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Lapland Longspur can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Lapland Longspur is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Lapland Longspurs breed in the Arctic tundra across northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Their breeding habitat includes open, treeless areas with low vegetation, often near wetlands or rocky outcrops.

During winter, they migrate south to temperate regions, frequenting open grasslands, agricultural fields, and coastal areas.

In North America, they can be found across the central and southern United States, while in Europe, they winter in the UK (mainly around the eastern coast of Scotland and England, from East Lothian to Kent) and parts of continental Europe.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Lapland Longspur. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Canada China Denmark Finland Greenland Iceland Ireland Italy Japan Kazakhstan Latvia Mexico Mongolia Montenegro North Korea Russia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Serbia South Korea Sweden

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Faroe Islands Norway Russia United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Belarus Belgium France Hungary Lithuania Netherlands Poland Romania Slovakia Spain The United Kingdom Ukraine

Species that pass through the area during migration

Austria Germany

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Algeria Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Malta Portugal Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Switzerland Turkey

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Lapland Longspur demonstrates high agility, particularly evident in its swift, low flight patterns and the males' elaborate aerial displays during breeding season. Their ground-dwelling nature, adept at both walking and running, further showcases their nimbleness.

Strength 40

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Lapland Longspurs possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. Their ability to survive harsh Arctic conditions and undertake long-distance migrations indicates a moderate level of physical robustness.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds show remarkable adaptability, thriving in both Arctic tundra and temperate grasslands. Their capacity to form massive winter flocks and adjust their diet seasonally, coupled with their ability to withstand extreme temperatures, demonstrates high adaptability.

Aggressiveness 30

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Lapland Longspurs are not notably aggressive birds. They form large, cooperative flocks outside the breeding season, suggesting a generally peaceful nature. However, males likely exhibit some territorial behaviour during breeding, accounting for this modest score.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Lapland Longspur's long-distance migratory habits and ability to survive in harsh Arctic environments indicate impressive endurance. Their capacity to thrive in temperatures as low as -40°C and undertake extensive seasonal movements supports this high endurance rating.

Diet

Lapland Longspurs primarily feed on seeds, especially during the non-breeding season. In summer, they supplement their diet with insects, in particular crane fly and beetles,caterpillars and spiders, which are crucial for feeding their young.

They forage on the ground, using their bills to pick seeds from low-growing plants or glean insects from vegetation.

Behaviour

Lapland Longspurs are ground-dwelling birds, often seen walking or running rather than hopping.

During the non-breeding season, they forage in flocks, moving across open areas in search of seeds. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate flight displays, singing as they parachute down to the ground with spread wings and tails.

Vocalisation

The Lapland Longspur's song is a sweet, warbling melody often delivered in flight and heard frequently at the outset of the breeding season.

Their call is a distinctive dry rattle, described as a 'prrrrt' or 'trrrt'. During migration and in winter flocks, they frequently give a soft, rolling 'tu-ee' call to maintain contact with other birds.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding begins in late spring as the tundra thaws. Males establish territories and attract females with elaborate flight displays and songs. Pairs form monogamous bonds for the breeding season.

Nests are built on the ground, often in a slight depression and well-hidden by vegetation. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest using grass, moss, and feathers. She typically lays 4-6 eggs, which are pale greenish or bluish with brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 12-13 days, primarily done by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 8-10 days. The short Arctic summer often allows for only one brood per season.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Lapland Longspurs face threats from climate change affecting their tundra breeding grounds. Habitat loss due to agricultural intensification in wintering areas is also a concern. Conservation efforts focus on protecting both breeding and wintering habitats to ensure population stability.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

50,000,000 - 199,999,999 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Lapland Bunting

Family:

Calcariidae

Average Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Predators

Main predators include Arctic foxes, jaegers, and various birds of prey such as Snowy Owls, falcons, and gulls. Ground-nesting makes them vulnerable to mammalian predators.

Did You Know?

Lapland Longspurs can survive in temperatures as low as -40°C (-40°F) during Arctic winters.
They can form massive flocks in winter, sometimes numbering in the millions.
Their hind claw is elongated, giving them their 'longspur' name and helping them walk on tundra vegetation.

Lapland Longspur