Chestnut-collared Longspur
NDGF
L 6”, WS 10.5”, .67 oz. Males have a chestnut collar, black belly, yellowish cheek and upper throat, and white outer tail feathers on a black tail. Females are grayish-buff overall with some streaking.
Status in North Dakota
Occurs in North Dakota from late March to mid-October. Peak breeding season early May to early August.
Range Map
Chestnut-collared Longspur primary (dark gray) and possible/uncommon (light gray) breeding range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
Regionally and globally imperiled, ND range important (SGCN a., b.).
ND ranks 2nd out of 6 states for highest percent of the global population (18.93%) during the breeding season (eBird).
The Chestnut-collared Longspur is declining precipitously, and the population has decreased 85% since 1970.
ND has high stewardship responsibility for this species.
Threats
Loss of grassland.
Degradation of grasslands from invasive plants, woody encroachment, succession, and loss of diversity.
Particularly, invasion of yellow sweetclover causes a decrease in occurrence.
Loss of ranching heritage and grassbased operations, grazing is essential to grassland health and diversity.
Loss of grassland on the wintering grounds in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Classified as climate-endangered, Chestnut-collared Longspur is projected to lose more than half of its current distribution by 2050, with no net gains of new areas (Audubon).
Direct and indirect impacts from energy development, Chestnut-collared Longspurs exhibit displacement from areas within and surrounding wind turbines.
Research and Monitoring
Habitat requirements and demographic studies have been broadly researched on the breeding grounds.
Additional information is needed on migration and wintering behaviors.
The Breeding Bird Survey, eBird and Partners in Flight Databases are key sources of information on distribution and population trends.
Management Recommendations
- Protect and conserve large, intact tracks of native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Reconstruct or restore grassland adjacent to existing tracts of native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Use native grasses when replanting or restoring grassland.
- Promote well-managed grazing lands and working grasslands for biodiversity, sustainability, and resiliency.
- Prevent or remove shrubs and tall woody vegetation in grasslands, either mechanically or by prescribed fire.
- Delay mowing or haying until August 1.
- Avoid or minimize placement of development (e.g. energy, housing, utility lines) or other human infrastructure in native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Follow beneficial or best practices during the design, siting, construction, operation, and maintenance of tall structures (e.g. transmission lines, communication towers, wind turbines).
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
Chestnut-collared Longspurs prefer large (>250 acres) native prairie pastures.
Level to rolling, open, arid, mixed-grass and shortgrass prairie with 20-30 cm vegetation height is preferred but will use habitats of 10-77 cm.
Uncommon in other grazed grasslands, hayland, undisturbed CRP, and cropland.
Positively associated with percent clubmoss cover, percent bare ground, and plant communities dominated by native grass.
Negatively associated with vegetation height-density, higher litter depth, density of low-growing shrubs, and plant communities dominated by shrubs and introduced grasses.
Nest on the ground, often by a cowpie or under a clump of grass.
Forages on the ground for seeds, insects and spiders.
Frequently perches on rocks, fences, or stiff vegetation.