Smith's Longspur

Calcarius pictus

Habitat 3

During breeding season Smith’s Longspur inhabits open sedge tussock tundra with low shrubs. Nests on the ground.

Distribution 3

Yukon: Scattered populations through much of northern Yukon and parts of mountainous central and southern Yukon.
North America: Scattered populations through low Arctic from northern Alaska east to James Bay, and in shrubby alpine from Alaska to northwestern BC Winters in south-central USA.

Distinguishing Features 3

Breeding adult male has a black and white head; rich, buff nape and underparts; and a white patch on shoulder. Breeding females are not as distinctive, with a dusky ear patch and pale buff eyebrow. Outer feathers on each side of tail are almost entirely white. Sings from the ground, not the air like the Lapland Longspur.

Report Sightings: During breeding season (June - July) 3

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/7457894@N04/4647330906
  2. (c) Paul Bedell, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Paul Bedell
  3. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

Range Map

iNaturalist.ca Map

Animal Bird
Bird Longspures & Snow Buntings (Calcarius pictus)
Color black, brown, white