Calcarius ornatus

BREEDING: Uses level to rolling mixed-grass and shortgrass uplands, and, in drier habitats, moist lowlands (DuBois 1935, Fairfield 1968, Owens and Myers 1973, Stewart 1975, Wiens and Dyer 1975, Kantrud and Kologiski 1982). Prefers open prairie and avoids excessively shrubby areas (Arnold and Higgins 1986). However, scattered shrubs and other low elevated perches such as Canada thistle (CIRSIUM ARVENSE) often are used for singing (Harris 1944, Fairfield 1968, Creighton 1974). Areas with dense litter accumulations are avoided (Renken 1983, Berkey et al. 1993, Anstey et al. 1995).

In order of preference, uses native pastures, followed by other grazed grasslands and hayland (Fairfield 1968, Owens and Myres 1973, Maher 1974, Stewart 1975, Faanes 1983, Anstey et al. 1995, Davis and Duncan 1995). Preferred vegetation height is <20-30 centimeter (Fairfield 1968). Although usually avoided, cultivated fields, fallow fields, stubble, and dense, idle areas may support a small number if vegetation is of suitable height and density (Fairfield 1968, Owens and Myres 1973, Stewart 1975, Anstey et al. 1995). In Nebraska, breeding occurred more frequently on idle shortgrass and mowed mixed-grass prairie than in low meadow zones or pasture (Johnsgard 1980). In North Dakota, densities were higher in cropland than in the tall, dense vegetation provided by idle Conservation Reserve Program fields (Johnson and Igl 1995). Other habitats used include waste and idle areas, such as fence borders and mowed aircraft landing strips (DuBois 1935, Fairfield 1968, Stewart 1975).

Within drier shortgrass habitats, prefer wetter, taller, and more densely vegetated areas than McCown's Longspur (CALCARIUS MCCOWNII) and Horned Lark (EREMOPHILA ALPESTRIS) (DuBois 1937, Strong 1971, Creighton 1974, Kantrud and Kologiski 1982, Wershler et al. 1991). Low, moist areas and wet-meadow zones around wetlands provide suitable habitat in these areas (DuBois 1937, Giezentanner 1970, Stewart 1975). In Saskatchewan, were more abundant on native pasture in good condition than in native pasture in poor condition; thus overgrazing is probably detrimental (Anstey et al. 1995). In Colorado, preferred areas with heterogeneous cover of short and mid-grasses, and were associated with bunchgrasses (Creighton 1974).

In moister, more thickly vegetated mixed-grass habitat, avoid tall, dense vegetation, preferring sparser upland grasslands with more bare ground (Renken 1983, Renken and Dinsmore 1987, Berkey et al. 1993, Johnson and Schwartz 1993, Anstey et al. 1995). NON-BREEDING: Grasslands and deserts with primarily grasses and forbs, vegetation less than 0.5 m. Also cultivated fields and near water sources (Hill and Gould 1997).

Territory sizes for two males in Manitoba were about 0.2 ha and 0.4 ha (Harris 1944). In Saskatchewan, territories were about 0.4 to 0.8 ha, increasing to almost four hectares in marginal habitat (Fairfield 1968). In southeastern Alberta, territories were about 1 ha (Hill and Gould 1997).

Arrive on the breeding grounds in late March and early April, with males preceding females by 1-2 weeks (Fairfield 1968, Maher 1973, Johnsgard 1980, O'Grady et al. 1996, Hill and Gould 1997). First clutches are initiated in early to mid-May, and second or replacement clutches may be initiated through late July (DuBois 1935, Fairfield 1968, Maher 1973). Produced two broods per season in Colorado (Strong 1971), and initiation dates of confirmed second clutches in Alberta ranged from early June to mid-July (Hill and Gould 1997). Third broods occur occasionally (Harris 1944, Hill and Gould 1997). Flocking occurs as nesting ends in mid-August, and flocks forage in ditches, dry sloughs, and rough ground outside of the breeding areas (Harris 1944). Fall migration occurs in September and October (Fairfield 1968, Maher 1973, Johnsgard 1980).

Males are philopatric, returning to breeding territories the following year 67 to 85 percent of the time; females showed less fidelity to a breeding area, returning 32 to 43 percent of the time (Hill and Gould 1997).