Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicus · Longspurs and Snow Buntings
The Lapland Longspur is a small, circumpolar passerine, also known as the Lapland Bunting in Eurasia. It is one of the most abundant breeding birds of the Arctic, though often overlooked due to its remote breeding grounds and inconspicuous winter plumage. This species is notable for the unusually long claw on its hind toe.
Explore the full field guidemigratory, ground foragersmall, stoutrattling callseeds, insects
1 call·first heard Jul 5·last 98d ago
When it's heardpeak 5a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Distinctive black head and throat, a bold white stripe behind the eye, and a rich chestnut nape.
- Generally streaked brown and buff, with a less defined facial pattern, often showing a dark 'frame' around the ear patch.
- All plumages show largely black tail feathers with narrow white outer edges, visible in flight.
- A thick, yellow, seed-eater's bill is characteristic of the species.