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Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicus ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: CALCARIIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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A common songbird of the Arctic tundra, the Lapland Longspur winters in open fields across much of the United States and southern Canada.

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Appearance

Sparrowlike
Sparrowlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized sparrow-like bird.
  • Short, thick, pointed bill.
  • White outer tail feathers.
  • Rufous patch in wings.
  • Streaked sides.
  • Smudge on breast.
  • Breeding male with black face and chest, yellowish eyestripe, and rufous nape.

Immature Description

Similar to adult.

Range Map Help

Lapland Longspur Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Male breeding
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    Lapland Longspur

    Male breeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, July 2000

Similar Species

  • Horned Lark has thin bill, black face patch, black tail with white outer tail feathers.
  • Pipits have thin bills.
  • Chestnut-collared Longspur has black triangle on white tail; breeding male has black chest and belly and rufous nape.
  • Smith's Longspur has two white outer tail feathers, distinct pale wingbars, and is buffy on chest and belly.
  • McCown's Longspur has black T on white tail (tip and center black); breeding male has small black chest patch and gray belly.