Bird Guide

European Rock Pipit vs Meadow Pipit

European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)

European Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosus

Small22 gRocky

The European rock pipit is 16.5–17 centimetres (6.5–6.7 in) long and weighs 18–32.5 grams (0.63–1.15 oz). The nominate race has smoky-olive upperparts, weakly streaked with darker brown, and buff underparts, heavily marked with poorly defined brown streaks. The legs, bill and iris are dark brown or blackish, and there is a pale eye-ring. The sexes are alike; although males average slightly brighter than females, the overlap is complete and birds cannot be sexed on appearance or measurements.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Jacob Spinks from Northamptonshire, England · CC BY 2.0
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensis

Small18 gGrassland

This is a widespread and often abundant small pipit, measuring 14.5–15 cm (5+1⁄2–6 in) in length and weighing 15–22 g (0.53–0.78 oz). It is an indistinguishable-looking species on the ground, mainly brown above and buff below, with darker barring on most of its plumage; the tail is brown, with narrow white lateral edges. It has a thin bill and pale pinkish yellow legs; the rear claw is conspicuously long, longer than the rest of the rear toes. The call is a faint tsi-tsi. The simple repetitive song is given in a short song flight.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: European Rock Pipit and Meadow Pipit.