The Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) is a small songbird in the sparrow family that breeds in the arctic tundra of northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Some key aspects of its behavior include:
Breeding and Nesting
The Lapland longspur breeds in open tundra areas with low-growing shrubs and grasses. They typically arrive on their arctic breeding grounds in late May or early June. Lapland longspurs are ground nesters, building domed nests out of grasses, moss, lichens, and leaves on the ground hidden in thick vegetation. The female lays between 2-7 eggs which she incubates for 10-14 days while the male helps bring food to the nest. The chicks hatch in mid-June through early July and fledge from the nest at around 10-14 days old.
Lapland longspurs are highly territorial during the breeding season. Males establish and defend nesting territories, advertising their territory by flight displays accompanied by song. They may attack and chase intruders, including other Lapland longspur males, from their territory.
Migration
Lapland longspurs are migratory birds, traveling south in the fall from their arctic breeding grounds to more temperate regions further south. They migrate in flocks at night. Their winter range includes southern Canada and the northern United States, parts of Europe and Asia. They return to the arctic each spring to breed again.
On their wintering grounds, Lapland longspurs form large nomadic flocks often mixed with other species like snow buntings and horned larks. They forage in open fields, grasslands, coastlines, and agricultural areas. Winter flocks can number in the hundreds of individuals.
Diet
Lapland longspurs are primarily ground foraging birds that feed on seeds and insects. On their breeding grounds they mainly eat insects like beetles, caterpillars, spiders, flies and other invertebrates. They also consume grass and sedge seeds. Their short conical bill is adapted for cracking seeds.
On migration and wintering areas they shift to eating mostly grass and weed seeds, supplementing their diet with waste grain in agricultural fields. They have also been known to eat buds, leaves and berries on occasion.
Behavior and Characteristics
Some key behavioral traits and characteristics of Lapland longspurs include:
- Active and restless foragers, walking or running along the ground while flushing insects.
- Strong irregular bounding flight with rapid wing beats interspersed with short glides.
- Males perform dramatic territorial flight displays during breeding season, flying high then diving with fluttering wings and singing.
- Angry chick “buzz” display involves flashing white tail corners to deter predators.
- Highly gregarious in winter flocks.
- Males sing a melodious song in breeding season with trills and whistles.
- Plumage color changes seasonally from colorful brown breeding plumage to paler winter plumage.
- Small size around 6-7 inches in length and half an ounce in weight.
Population and Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Lapland longspur is classified as a species of Least Concern. They have an extremely large range and population size and their numbers today remain stable without significant threats. Their total population is estimated at around 27 million individuals. However, Breeding Bird Survey data does indicate declines in portions of their range in Alaska and Canada in recent decades. Potential threats may include loss of breeding habitat in the arctic tundra due to climate change.
| Location | Population Trend |
|---|---|
| Europe/Western Siberia | Stable |
| Eastern Siberia | Stable |
| Alaska/Canada | Declining |
In summary, Lapland longspurs are circumpolar Arctic breeding birds that migrate in winter to more southern latitudes. They inhabit tundra areas and are ground foraging seed and insect eaters. Their populations remain relatively stable currently but may face potential threats from Arctic habitat loss in the future.
Comparison to Similar Species
The Lapland longspur can be confused with some other similar bird species. Here is a comparison to several close relatives:
Chestnut-collared Longspur
- Breeds on mid-high prairies rather than tundra.
- Darker overall plumage.
- Thicker bill.
- White outer tail feathers only visible during flight.
Smith’s Longspur
- Yellow throat and belly.
- Longer tail.
- Favors drier, low-growing tundra.
- Song lower pitched.
Snow Bunting
- Larger size and thicker bill.
- More white in wings.
- Less streaking in breeding plumage.
- Year-round white wing patches.
The Lapland longspur is most likely to be confused with the Chestnut-collared. Careful attention to bill shape, plumage patterns and habitat can help distinguish them. The Lapland’s smaller bill size, white outer tail feathers and Arctic tundra breeding range help separate it from close relatives.
Interesting Facts
Here are some fascinating highlights about the unique biology and behavior of Lapland longspurs:
- Their scientific name Calcarius lapponicus means “of Lapland” since they were first described by Linnaeus in Lapland.
- They can survive temperatures down to -76°F during Arctic winters through adaptations like feather insulation and torpor.
- To conserve heat, they crouch down and fluff feathers while roosting in hollows or burrows in winter.
- Their feathers moult once per year after breeding season into a subdued winter plumage.
- Longspurs get their name from elongated claw on back toe which was thought to be “long spur.”
- Clutches are very synchronized, with most eggs laid within 36 hours of each other.
- Nestlings have red mouth linings, possibly to help parents locate them to feed.
- In some years, almost entire breeding population may re-nest after early failure.
- Males perform “butterfly” aerial display flights up to 130 ft high during courtship.
- Their English folk name was “fellfart” referring to their mountain breeding habitat.
This small tundra songbird has many fascinating adaptations that enable it to thrive and breed in the extreme high-latitude environments of the far north.
Conclusion
In summary, the Lapland longspur is a circumpolar Arctic breeding bird well adapted to the tundra environment. It has a fascinating migratory life cycle traveling huge distances between its northern breeding areas and more southern wintering grounds annually. Unique behavioral characteristics include its melodious territorial song, aerial breeding displays, gregarious winter flocks, nesting strategies and chick defense behaviors. Lapland longspurs remain common and widespread at present, but face potential threats from climate change and habitat alteration in the sensitive Arctic region, something that warrants continued monitoring of this species in the future.
