The Smith's Longspur breeds in shrubby tundra habitats across Canada's northern boreal/subarctic region, from the Yukon to Hudson Bay. Because of its remote breeding grounds, it is not well monitored in Canada, and the available data from its wintering grounds in the central United States are considered insufficient to monitor the Canadian population status. Little is known about conservation concerns for this species. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The nomadic nature of this species on both the breeding and wintering grounds makes it difficult to monitor and study (Briskie 2009). One study has suggested that some populations have decreased because of tundra habitats changing to scrubby forests at the southern edge of the breeding range (Jehl 2004).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
