The Nature Nation E-Newsletter

BirdWatch
High Arctic Species Spend Their Winters in Southern Canada

For millions of birds, their southern migration takes them far from the 49th parallel. But for two arctic-dwelling passerines, the southern reaches of Canada are quite far enough!

Commonly found in the company of snow buntings, the longspur’s song is a melodious warble, tee-lee-oo. Photo: Tim Bowman, USFWS

The snow bunting and the Lapland longspur often spend their winters together in barren snow-swept fields throughout southern Canada and the northern US. For many birders, their arrival signals the beginning of winter. They return to their arctic tundra homes in late March and April.

Lapland longspur

Lapland longspurs are so named for their hind claw, which is often longer than the toe itself. Longspurs eat mostly weed seeds and grasses, and their habit of foraging along roadsides makes them vulnerable to vehicle collisions.

Females and males in winter plumage look similar; they are streaky overall with chestnut on the wings and cheeks edged in black. Also look for two partly white, partly black or brown tail feathers, and a chestnut nape. Resembles a sparrow.

	Snow buntings can survive temperatures as low as –50C. Their song is a musical high trilling, tew. Photo: F. Deines, USFWS

Snow Bunting

Seen from below, snow buntings look like large snowflakes – flocks of snow buntings resemble flurries. Gregarious, not afraid of humans, they travel in large flocks and will descend upon a feeding station in the hundreds. They prefer sunflowers, millet and cracked corn.

Watch for a white head, shoulders and bottom, black back and bill, long black and white wings.