Lapland Longspur

Lapland Longspur - A Winter Pipit 

Lapland Longspur [John Loch Photo]

The Lapland Longspur is a member of the Wagtail and Pipit Family (Moticillidae) and is uncommonly found here in fall migration and as a winter resident.  It is found in small flocks or singly with Snow Buntings or Horned Larks.  Shown above is a Lapland Longspur in winter plumage and accompanied by a Horned Lark (behind).

There are 4 species of longspurs in North America and the Lapland Longspur is the only one found here in New Brunswick.  The other 3 species are found in the west.  McCowan's Longspur and the Chestnut-collared Longspur breed in the southern parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Smith's Longspur migrates through the prairie provinces and breeds in Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.

The Lapland Longspur is found all over North America.  It winters in most of the US and breeds in Canada's far north.  A few winter here in NB and NS.  We usually see them as they migrate through on their way south in the fall.  I usually see them every winter at the Mactaquac Dam feeding on the ground with Snow Buntings.

Lapland Longspur

To the untrained eye the Lapland Longspur looks sparrow-like.  It is 16 cm long (6.3 in), about the same size as a Song Sparrow.  On quick view it looks brown and striped.  On closer view it shows a bold facial pattern, a dark triangle outlining a  buff-coloured ear patch.  It has dark streaks or patches on its upper breast and sides.  It shows a wide buff-coloured eyebrow and its lower parts are white.  This is the plumage we almost always see.  The breeding plumage is remarkably different in the male with a black face, breast and cap and a chestnut nape.  All plumages show white outer tail feathers in flight.  The beautiful breeding plumage would be seen in the far north and we only see remnants of it as the birds migrate south in the fall.

Lapland Longspurs are circumpolar in distribution.  In the UK they are called Lapland Buntings.  They winter in eastern England and Scotland and breed in Norway and across Siberia.  This species feeds on the ground on insects, seeds, and spiders.  It prefers open land like farm fields, airports, pastures, and grassy coastal dunes.  It breeds on the tundra in the far north and its nest is a depression on the ground lined with grass, lichens, moss and rootlets.

Lapland Longspur

Differentiating the 4 species of longspurs might be difficult in the west.  Their flight songs are distinctive so learning them would help.  In flight a close observation of the outer-tail feathers also helps with identification.  Observing habitat and behaviour are also good clues.  The only other species recorded from New Brunswick is the Chestnut-collared Longspur.  There are 2 records; a male from Nantucket Island, Grand Manan in 1914 and a female from Castalia, Grand Manan in 1996.

Lapland Longspur  [Mark Morse Photo]

The photo above shows a male Lapland Longspur showing a remnant of its breeding plumage.  Note the black on the breast and top of head and the chestnut patch on the back of the neck.

If you would like to see a Lapland Longspur now is the time to get out and look for flocks of Horned Larks or Snow Buntings on open land foraging on the ground.  Look closely for a different bird in the flock and it just might be a Lapland Longspur.  Winter birding can be fun!