BirdNote Daily Chestnut-collared Longspur
Nov 14, 2025
Discover the fascinating world of the Chestnut-collared Longspur, a cheerful bird thriving in northern prairies. While heavy grazing harms their nests, responsible ranching can boost their breeding densities significantly. Interestingly, these birds may have flourished more alongside bison than in untouched grasslands. Dive into the delicate balance between grazing practices and wildlife success!
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Cattle Damaging Nests
- Cows sometimes step on chestnut-collared longspur nests and nudge eggs or chicks out of them.
- Mary McCann recounts records of cattle directly eating eggs and chicks, showing direct harm from grazing.
Short Grass Drives Longspur Abundance
- Longspur breeding densities rise dramatically under responsible grazing, sometimes by tenfold.
- The birds likely thrived historically where bison kept grasses short, mirroring benefits of controlled grazing.
Managed Grazing Benefits Birds
- Properly managed cattle can boost chestnut-collared longspur breeding success on northern prairies.
- Mary McCann connects historical bison grazing to present-day ranching practices that maintain suitable short grass.