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Smith's Longspur
last update: Mar 25, 2009 03:32 PM
Latin name: Calcarius pictus
Population: 75,000 individuals
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: Eastern Alaska, northern Canada from Yukon Territory to southern Hudson Bay
Age/ life expectancy: 5 years
Wingspan: 25-27 cm
Length: 14-16 cm
Weight: 20-28 g
Mating/Breeding: The breeding system of this bird is one of the most unusual of any songbird. Smith's Longspurs are polygynandrous; that is, each female mates with two or three males. Each male, in turn, mates with multiple females. The male does not compete for territory, as with nearly any other songbirds, but instead competes to pass on his genes by copulating frequently, thus diluting or displacing the sperm of other males. The brood of any given female will usually contain nestlings fathered by different males. Soon after arrival on the breeding grounds, the male will indicate interest in a female by presenting her with a bill full of nesting material. Once pair bonds are formed, he guards her closely until egg laying begins, at which point he leaves to pair with other females. His absence, of course, allows the female to pair with a second, or possibly third male. The nest of the Smith's Longspur is a grassy cup, woven directly on the ground by the female. Once the 12-day incubation period begins, males and females do not associate closely until hatching, at which point males return to help care for the chicks. Once hatched, chicks of any given nest may be fed by up to three different males. Chicks leave the nest within 10 days, still incapable of flight, but able to run well. Once away from the nest, chicks are often separated and tended to by different parents until self-sufficient. Adults depart the breeding grounds in late summer, leaving juvenile birds behind to form flocks and migrate on their own.
Eggs: 4 pale green or grey-green eggs, dotted, streaked, and blotched dark purple-brown
Hibernation: migrates to central and southern US in the winter
Hunting Habits: ground foraging
Feed on: mainly seeds but will include insects in the summer
Predators: foxes
Colour/Body: Breeding males have bold black and white markings on the head, with a distinctive white streak behind the eye and a smaller white patch on the black cheek. The chin, throat, breast, and nape are a rich, rusty tan; back is brown and tan with black streaks. White wingbars are most visible on birds in flight. As with other longspur species, the outer tail feathers are white, and also most readily visible in flight. Females are duller overall, with light streaking on the breast and sides, and lack the bold head pattern of the male. Most observers will see this bird in its winter plumage, which for both sexes resembles that of the female.
Interesting Trivia:
- Audubon named this bird after his friend Gideon B. Smith.
