American Pipit
Anthus rubescens
The American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) is a common wagtails and pipit found in 29 countries, weighing about 21 g. The American pipit, formerly known as the buff-bellied pipit, is a small songbird native to North America.
About the American Pipit
The American pipit, formerly known as the buff-bellied pipit, is a small songbird native to North America. It was first described by Marmaduke Tunstall in his 1771 Ornithologia Britannica. It was formerly classified as a form of the water pipit. The former subspecies, Siberian pipit, is now considered a distinct species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Like most other pipits, the American pipit is an undistinguished-looking species which usually can be seen to run around on the ground. It has lightly streaked grey-brown upperparts and is diffusely streaked below on the buff breast and flanks. The belly is whitish, the bill and legs are dark. The related Siberian pipit is darker above and has bolder black streaking on its whiter underparts; its legs have a reddish hue. The call is a squeaky sip. Measurements: Length: 16 cm Weight: 22 g Wingspan: 24 cm
What the American Pipit sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Spain, Belize, Mongolia, Germany, Italy, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Netherlands.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an American Pipit?
- Like most other pipits, the American pipit is an undistinguished-looking species which usually can be seen to run around on the ground. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an American Pipit?
- The American Pipit is a small sized bird weighing about 21 g.
- Where can you see an American Pipit?
- The American Pipit occurs in 29 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and Sweden.
- What does an American Pipit sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the American Pipit on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an American Pipit?
- The American Pipit is most easily confused with the Tree Pipit, the European Rock Pipit and the Water Pipit.
Learn the American Pipit for real
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