Calcarius lapponicus

Winter is a time of opportunity for field birders. They search the rolling hills and open fields for birds of the Arctic tundra that winter in the open habitats in Utah. Recently, the Lapland longspur has been seen along Glover Lane in Farmington near the Nature Center at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. They are often found in the company of horned larks in winter foraging flocks.

The Lapland longspur is a sparrowlike bird. It has white outer tailfeathers displayed when flying like a junco. The breeding male will display a black face and chest with a yellowish eye stripe and a rufous nape. It also has a rufous patch on the wings.

The name "longspur" refers to the elongated claw of the hind toe. Look closely at the picture and you will see how it got the name.

Longspurs have been known to form winter flocks numbering into the millions. These giant flocks have sometimes collided with microwave towers and other lighted structures. Many of these flocking longspurs have been killed in a single night during these collisions.

The longspur breeding range is across Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland and into northern Eurasia. They prefer wetland areas with grassy tussocks and scrub found in these taiga areas. Seeds and insects make up their diet.

The nest is built by the female on the ground where she will incubate 4-7 eggs for 14 days. The altricial young (born naked, with eyes closed and helpless) remain in the nest for 10 days where they are fed by both sexes. Each parent tends half the brood.

Bill Fenimore is author of the The Backyard Birds of Utah, owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center, www.wildbird.com/layton, and a member of the Utah Wildlife Board.