Nilgiri Pipit
Anthus nilghiriensis
The Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) is a rare wagtails and pipit found only in India, weighing about 22 g. The Nilgiri pipit is a distinctive species of pipit that is endemic to the high altitude hills of southern India.
About the Nilgiri Pipit
The Nilgiri pipit is a distinctive species of pipit that is endemic to the high altitude hills of southern India. Richer brown in colour than other pipits in the region, it is distinctive in having the streaking on the breast continuing along the flanks. It is non-migratory and has a tendency to fly into low trees when disturbed and is closely related to the tree pipits Anthus hodgsoni and Anthus trivialis.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Nilgiri pipit is about 12.6–14 centimetres (5.0–5.5 in) long and is richly coloured, has dark lores, a buff supercilium and throat. It lacks any malar stripes. The flanks, breast and sides of neck are brighter buff and that bill is completely dark. The crown is heavily streaked in black as are the upperparts. The outer tail feathers are also buff coloured and there is no white in the plumage. The streaking on the breast is fine and it extends along the flanks. The first four primaries of the wing are almost equal and the fifth is about 1–2 mm shorter.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Nilgiri Pipit?
- The Nilgiri pipit is about 12.6–14 centimetres (5.0–5.5 in) long and is richly coloured, has dark lores, a buff supercilium and throat. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Nilgiri Pipit?
- The Nilgiri Pipit is a small sized bird weighing about 22 g.
- Where can you see a Nilgiri Pipit?
- The Nilgiri Pipit is endemic to India, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Nilgiri Pipit?
- The Nilgiri Pipit is most easily confused with the Puna Pipit, the Wood Pipit and the Long-legged Pipit.
- Is the Nilgiri Pipit endangered?
- The Nilgiri Pipit is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Nilgiri 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.