he Smith’s Longspur is a relatively understudied passerine breeder on the North Slope ofAlaska. In this region, they are most commonly associated with the Brooks Range foothillswhere they are found in broad valleys and low passes (S. Kendall, pers. comm.). Smith’sLongspurs are known for their polygynandrous mating system which is unusual in passerines. Inarctic Alaska, this species nests on open tundra, from upland hummocky terrain (Briskie 2009) towet meadow habitats (Johnson and Herter 1989). During the breeding season they forage on avariety of invertebrates but also consume seeds and other vegetation (Briskie 2009). Smith’sLongspurs are short-distance migrants and winter in the U.S. Midwest. Current populationestimate is unknown but the trend is believed to be stable (BirdLife International 2012).
