Birds diurnal

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicus

A master of the open tundra, the Lapland Longspur brings a touch of the Arctic to winter fields. With its striking chestnut collar and ground-roving habits, this hardy traveler is a prized find for any backyard observer.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 15-16 cm (5.9-6.3 in); Wingspan: 25.5-29 cm (10-11.4 in); Weight: 22-35 g (0.8-1.2 oz)

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Colors

Males in breeding plumage feature a striking black face and throat bordered by white, with a rich rufous-chestnut nape. Females and wintering birds are more cryptic, with streaked buffy-brown feathers, though they usually retain a hint of the rufous color on the back of the neck.

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Key Features

Distinctive chestnut-red nape or collar
Elongated hind claw (the 'longspur')
Thick, seed-eating bill with a dark tip
Ground-dwelling habit; walks and runs rather than hopping

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7 AM - 11 AM, 3 PM - 5 PM

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Season September - April (in temperate regions); May - August (in the Arctic)

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Diet Primarily seeds from grasses and weeds during the winter months; switches to a protein-rich diet of insects, spiders, and larvae during the summer breeding season.

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Habitat Open grasslands, agricultural fields, coastal dunes, and muddy lake shores.

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Behavior

The Lapland Longspur is a hardy traveler of the open plains, spending its summers in the high Arctic tundra and migrating south to vast fields and shores for the winter. Unlike many common backyard songbirds that hop, these birds are true pedestrians, walking or running across the ground as they forage. In the winter months, they are highly social and often form massive, swirling flocks alongside Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.

While they are generally wary of humans, their reliance on open agricultural land means they can often be found in rural backyards and pastures. Their song is a beautiful, liquid series of warbles often delivered during a specialized aerial display on their breeding grounds, while their winter calls are distinctive dry rattles and 'teeu' whistles that help identify them even when they are high overhead.

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Camera Tips

Capturing Lapland Longspurs on a backyard camera requires a different strategy than your typical feeder bird. Since they are ground-foragers that avoid dense vegetation, place your camera just a few inches off the ground near a flat, open area with short grass or bare soil. An upward angle (about 10-15 degrees) will help capture the subtle rufous details on their nape and their unique long hind claw. Avoid placing cameras near tall bushes or trees, as these birds prefer wide-open spaces where they can spot predators from a distance.

To lure them into your camera's field of view, scatter white proso millet or cracked corn directly on the ground. They are unlikely to visit elevated hopper or tube feeders. If you are in a snowy region, clearing a small patch of ground and spreading seed there is an excellent way to concentrate a flock right in front of your lens. They are particularly active during the early morning hours when the light is low, so ensure your camera is set to a high sensitivity to trigger quickly on these fast-moving birds.

High-speed burst modes are essential for the Lapland Longspur. Because they walk and peck rapidly, single shots often result in motion blur or a bird with its head down. Set your AI camera to capture 3-5 photos per trigger. If your camera supports it, high-definition video is even better for capturing their 'creeping' walk and the social interactions within a winter flock. During late winter or early spring, keep an eye out for the males transitioning into their bold black-and-chestnut plumage—it’s the most photogenic time of year for this species.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Lapland Longspur.

Snow Bunting

Snow Buntings show significantly more white in their plumage, especially on the wings and belly, compared to the streaky brown Longspur.

Horned Lark

Horned Larks have a distinct yellow and black face pattern and 'horns' (feather tufts) that Longspurs lack.

Smith's Longspur

Smith's Longspurs have a more buff-colored belly and lack the prominent rufous nape found on the Lapland species.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lapland Longspurs are strictly diurnal, with peak activity occurring from shortly after sunrise until mid-morning. They spend most of the day foraging on the ground, though activity may spike again in the late afternoon before they head to communal roosts.

The best way to attract them is to provide an open, flat area free of tall grass and scatter seed directly on the soil. They are particularly fond of white millet and cracked corn. Providing a heated ground-level birdbath in winter can also be a significant draw for these birds.

During the winter, they are granivores, focusing on seeds from grasses, sedges, and agricultural leftovers like waste grain. In the summer, they transition to an insectivorous diet to feed their young, consuming large quantities of flies, beetles, and spiders.

They are less common in traditional suburban yards with many trees. However, if your property borders open fields, airports, or large pastures, you have a much higher chance of seeing them, especially during migration or after a heavy snowfall.

While they flock together, Snow Buntings show much more white in the wings during flight. On the ground, the Lapland Longspur is browner and more streaked, lacking the stark white underparts and large white wing patches of the Snow Bunting.

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