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Smith's Longspur -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 5.75 - 6.5 inches | Wingspan: 10 - 11 inches | Seasonality: Migrant |
| ID Keys: Winter birds have buffy underparts and nape, with a strong facial pattern on the male. White outer feathers bordering a black tail are prominent in flight. | ||
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Smith's Longspur
Calcarius pictus
The Smith's Longspur is usually a rare migrant through the state as they move between their Arctic summering grounds and their wintering grounds on the southern Great Plains. They generally don't mingle with other longspurs or Horned Larks. They are known for their odd breeding behavior, in which males vigorously sing to attract females, but don't defend territories, are highly promiscuous, and often have nests of mixed parentage.
Habitat: Found near the treeline in the Arctic in the summer, primarily in grassy areas with scattered shrubs or stunted trees. In winter, they are primarily found on heavily grazed fields, shortgrass prairie, and large "urban" grass expanses, such as around airports.
Diet: Primarily seeds, with seeds making up a large portion of the diet in all seasons. Also will feed heavily on insects and spiders in the summer.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota
Song: Thin sweet warbling
Migrations: Summers in Arctic. Winters in the southern Great Plains.
Similar Species: Lapland Longspur
Status: Breeding range is generally away from human disturbance. Numbers are probably stable.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Smith's Longspur
2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Smith's Longspur
3) E-nature.com: Smith's Longspur
Photo Information: Help!! I don't have a photo for this species!! If you have a photo you'd like to share, please e-mail me (e-mail at the bottom of the page). Thanks!
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
