About the Meadow Pipit
The meadow pipit is a small passerine bird that breeds throughout much of the Palearctic, from south-eastern Greenland and Iceland east to just east of the Ural Mountains in Russia, and south to central France and Romania; an isolated population also occurs in the Caucasus Mountains. It is migratory over most of its range, wintering in southern Europe, North Africa, and south-western Asia, but is resident year-round in western Europe, although even here many birds move to the coast or lowlands in winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Meadow Pipit sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, South Korea, Japan, Turkmenistan.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
American PipitAnthus rubescensLike most other pipits, the American pipit is an undistinguished-looking species which usually can be seen to run around on the ground.
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisThis is a small pipit that resembles the meadow pipit.
European Rock PipitAnthus petrosusThe 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).
Side by side: American Pipit vs Meadow Pipit · Meadow Pipit vs Tree Pipit · European Rock Pipit vs Meadow Pipit
Learn the Meadow Pipit for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.