Lapland longspur
Circumpolar arctic breeder and the only Eurasian longspur.
The Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), also called the Lapland bunting, belongs to the passerine family Calcariidae, the longspurs. This bird breeds across the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and is the only species from the genus Calcarius found in Eurasia. Carl Linnaeus first formally described it in 1758, originally classifying it among the finches, though modern taxonomists generally place it outside the Fringillidae family.
Its English name comes from its long hind claws. The genus name *Calcarius* derives from the Latin for "spurs," and the species name *lapponicus* refers to Lapland. Five subspecies are recognized: *C. l. subcalcaratus* (northern Canada and Greenland), *C. l. lapponicus* (northern Europe and northern Asia), *C. l. kamtschaticus* (northeastern Siberia), *C. l. alascensis* (far eastern Siberia, Alaska, and northwestern Canada), and *C. l. coloratus* (Commander Islands).
A robust bird, the Lapland longspur has a thick, yellow bill suited for eating seeds. In summer, the male sports a black head and throat, a white eyestripe, a chestnut nape, white underparts, and a heavily streaked black-gray back. Other plumages show a plainer orange-brown head, a browner back, and chestnut nape and wing panels. It measures 5.9–6.3 inches (15–16 cm) in length, weighs 0.8–1.2 ounces (22.3–33.1 g), and has a wingspan of 8.7–11.4 inches (22–29 cm).
This species breeds across Arctic Europe, the Palearctic, Canada, and the northernmost United States. It migrates to winter in the Russian steppes, the southern United States, northern Scandinavian Arctic areas, and down to coastal southern Sweden, Denmark, and Great Britain. It is the only Asian longspur bunting and, while likely not evolving there, has been present in Eastern Europe for at least about 30,000 years.
Its most common flight call is a hard "prrrrt," often preceded by a more nasal "teeww." During breeding, it also makes a softer "duyyeee" followed by a pause and a "triiiuuu," with both sounds alternating.
The Lapland longspur nests on the ground, preferring heavily vegetated slopes or tussocks in low-lying wet areas. It typically lays five eggs per brood, breeding in wet tundra, riparian areas, and marshes.
In winter, these birds are common across the Great Plains, the northeastern United States, and southern Canada, often foraging in agricultural fields. They frequently form
- Scientific name
- Calcarius lapponicus
- Family
- Calcariidae
- Length
- 5.9–6.3 in (15–16 cm)
- Weight
- 0.8–1.2 oz (22.3–33.1 g)
- Wingspan
- 8.7–11.4 in (22–29 cm)
- Number of subspecies
- 5
- Migration
- Migratory
Lore & Background
The Lapland longspur was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae. He placed it with the finches in the genus Fringilla and coined the binomial name Fringilla lapponica. The family is now generally separated by modern authors from the Fringillidae. The Lapland longspur is now one of three longspurs placed in the genus Calcarius that was introduced in 1802 by the German naturalist Johann Matthäus Bechstein. The English name refers to the long hind claws. The genus name Calcarius is from Latin calcaria, 'spurs', and the specific lapponicus refers to Lapland.
Five subspecies are recognised: C. l. subcalcaratus (north Canada and Greenland), C. l. lapponicus (north Europe and north Asia), C. l. kamtschaticus (northeast Siberia), C. l. alascensis (extreme east Siberia, Alaska and northwest Canada), and C. l. coloratus (Commander Islands). The summer male has a black head and throat, white eyestripe, chestnut nape, white underparts, and a heavily streaked black-grey back. Other plumages have a plainer orange-brown head, a browner back and chestnut nape and wing panels.
Reader's Guide
The Lapland longspur is significant as a circumpolar arctic breeder and the only member of the genus Calcarius present in Eurasia. Its taxonomy reflects a historical shift from being classified with finches to its current placement in the family Calcariidae. The species is notable for its migratory behavior, breeding across Arctic Europe, the Palearctic, Canada, and the northernmost United States, and wintering in the Russian steppes, the southern United States, Northern Scandinavian arctic areas, and down to coastal Southern Sweden, Denmark, and Great Britain. It is the only Asian species of the longspur buntings and has been present in Eastern Europe for at least about 30,000 years. Its diet shifts seasonally from seeds in winter to arthropods in summer, with nestlings fed only arthropods. The species also forms mixed-species flocks in winter with horned larks and snow buntings. A 2011 hybrid with a snow bunting was identified in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Lapland longspur's adaptability to diverse habitats—from wet tundra to agricultural fields—and its circumpolar distribution make it a key species for understanding arctic avian ecology and migration patterns.
Did You Know?
- The Lapland longspur was formally described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae.
- It is the only member of the genus Calcarius present in Eurasia.
- A male Lapland longspur × snow bunting hybrid was identified in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada in 2011.
- The species has been present in Eastern Europe for at least about 30,000 years.
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