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Difference between revisions of "Meadow Pipit" - BirdForum Opus

(Flight photo added, More info added. Some deleted text replaced)
 
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[[Image:Meadow_Pipit.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Dave+Whistle|Dave Whistle}} <br />Photo taken: Norfolk, [[England]] ]]
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[[File:Pipit Farlouse 3.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Spring plumage<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Absolute_beginner |Absolute_beginner }}<br />Baise de Somme, [[France]], 28 April, 2018]]
 
;[[:Category:Anthus|Anthus]] pratensis
 
;[[:Category:Anthus|Anthus]] pratensis
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
A small, brown, or olive, streaky bird; the streaks becoming closely packed on the upper breast. White outer tail feathers. Indistinct facial pattern. Long hind claw
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Length 14–15.5 cm (15.5-6 in), weight 14.5–22 g<br />
====Similar Species====
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A small, brown, or olive, streaky pipit; the streaks becoming closely packed on the upper breast. White outer tail feathers. Indistinct facial pattern. Legs pinkish-yellow, with a distinct long hind claw.
[[Tree Pipit]] and [[Rock Pipit]]
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====Similar species====
 +
[[Image:Meadow_Pipit.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Autumn plumage<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Dave+Whistle|Dave Whistle}} <br />Norfolk, [[England]], 8 October 2005]]
 +
[[Tree Pipit]] and [[Rock Pipit]]<br />
 +
For differences between [[Eurasian Skylark]] and Meadow Pipit see [http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=111510 this thread] in Tips for New Birders Forum
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
[[Image:Mipit Hook head march 2008 065.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|tacumshin|tacumshin}}<br />Hook Head, Co Wexford, [[Ireland]] March 2009]]
 
 
[[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and [[British Isles]], and [[Europe]].  
 
[[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and [[British Isles]], and [[Europe]].  
Very common in [[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and [[British Isles]], from north and central [[France]] east to the northern shores of the Black Sea and north to the whole of Fenno-Scandia and northern [[Russia]]. Isolated resident populations in the Apennines and Caucasus and has bred in the former [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Romania]]. '''Resident''' in the [[Faroes]], [[British Isles]] and east to [[Denmark]] but elsewhere a summer visitor.
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Very common in [[Iceland]], the [[Faroes]] and [[British Isles]], from north and central [[France]] east to the northern shores of the Black Sea and north to the whole of Fennoscandia and northern [[Russia]] including western [[Siberia]]. Isolated resident populations in the Apennines and Caucasus and has bred in the former [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Romania]]. '''Resident''' in the [[Faroes]], [[British Isles]] and east to [[Denmark]] but elsewhere a '''summer''' visitor.
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In '''winter''' occurs throughout western and southern [[Europe]], north [[Africa]], and southwest [[Asia]]; many birds undergo more local movements from upland to coastal areas. Main movements in August-October and April-May.
  
In '''winter''' occurs throughout Western and Southern [[Europe]], North [[Africa]] and South-West [[Asia]] and many birds undergo more local movements from upland to coastal areas. Main movements in August-October and April-May. '''Vagrants''' recorded in [[Svalbard]] and Bear Island, the [[Azores]] and [[Madeira]], and regular winter visitor in small numbers in [[Kuwait]].  
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'''Vagrants''' recorded in [[Svalbard]] and Bear Island, the [[Azores]] and [[Madeira]], and regular winter visitor in small numbers in [[Kuwait]].  
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Subspecies The nominate race is found throughout the region except in western [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]] where it is replaced by the more richly-coloured race ''whistleri'', more rufous above and buff below.  
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[[Image:IMG 8648bo.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Note long hind claw in flight<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />[[Saltholme]] RSPB reserve, [[Cleveland]], [[England]], 20 September 2010]]
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Variation is mostly clinal, with darker birds predominating in the west and paler birds in the east.
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====Subspecies====
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Two weakly defined races recognized<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. Considered [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] by some authorities<sup>[[#References|[1]]][[#References|[3]]][[#References|[4]]][[#References|[6]]]</sup>:
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*''A. p. whistleri'': slightly darker and more rufous above and buff below than nominate, following [[Dictionary_G-L#G|Gloger's rule]].
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:*[[Iceland]] and [[Faroes]] to [[Scotland]], [[Ireland]] and [[England]]; winters south to [[Spain]] and [[Morocco]].
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*''A. p. pratensis'':
 +
:*Southeastern [[Greenland]], [[Scandinavia]], mainland [[Europe]], and western [[Siberia]]; winters to north [[Africa]], [[Iran]].
 +
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Open country including fields and farmland, marshes, meadows, heaths and moorland. Also on coastal grasslands, sand-dunes open beaches, especially in winter. Likes open country with plenty of vegetation - upland moorland, heathland, fens, grassland, flood meadows and coastal marshes.
 
Open country including fields and farmland, marshes, meadows, heaths and moorland. Also on coastal grasslands, sand-dunes open beaches, especially in winter. Likes open country with plenty of vegetation - upland moorland, heathland, fens, grassland, flood meadows and coastal marshes.
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Creeps about in longish grass.
 
Creeps about in longish grass.
  
Often sits on fence wires where long hind claw can be clearly seen
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Often sits on fence wires where long hind claw can be clearly seen.
 +
====Diet====
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[[Image:IMG 20200624 115233 055.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|markho|Mark Holderness}}<br />Win Green, Charlton, [[Wiltshire]], 22 June 2020]]
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Their main diet consists of small invertebrates, with the addition of some seeds.
 
====Flight====
 
====Flight====
Rather erratic
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Rather erratic.
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
A high 'weesk weesk weesk'; a high accelerating song ending in a trill - given in flight.<br />
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A high 'weesk weesk weesk'; a high accelerating song ending in a trill - given in flight.
<flashmp3>Anthus pratensis (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
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<br />
''[[Media:Anthus pratensis (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
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<br />
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{{ Audio|Anthus pratensis (song).mp3 }}
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''[[Media:Anthus pratensis (song).mp3|Meadow Pipit voice clip]]''
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==References==
 
==References==
Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
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#{{Ref-GillDonsker18V8.2}}#{{Ref-Clements6thAug21}}#Christidis et al. 2014. The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World, version 4.1 (Downloadable checklist). Accessed 15 September 2018 from https://www.howardandmoore.org/
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#Alström, P., K. Mild & B. Zetterström, 2003. Pipits and wagtails of Europe, Asia and North America. Identification and systematics. 1‐496. Christopher Helm, London.
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#BirdLife International. 2017. ''Anthus pratensis'' (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22718556A110870898. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22718556A110870898.en. Downloaded on 14 September 2018.
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#Tyler, S. & Sharpe, C.J. (2018). Meadow Pipit (''Anthus pratensis''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/57798 on 15 September 2018).
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#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
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#Tyler, S. and C.J. Sharpe (2020). Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.meapip1.01
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{{ref}}
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==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Anthus+pratensis}}  
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{{GSearch|"Anthus+ pratensis" {{!}} "Meadow Pipit"}}  
 
A few photos you see in additional images are of [[Tree Pipit]]s. Although not mentioned above, the photos highlight how useful bill size can be in identification (with Tree having a more hefty bill)
 
A few photos you see in additional images are of [[Tree Pipit]]s. Although not mentioned above, the photos highlight how useful bill size can be in identification (with Tree having a more hefty bill)
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<br />
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{{GS-checked}}1
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<br />
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<br />
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Anthus]]
 
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Anthus]]

Latest revision as of 23:04, 18 January 2023

Spring plumage
Photo © by Absolute_beginner
Baise de Somme, France, 28 April, 2018
Anthus pratensis

Identification

Length 14–15.5 cm (15.5-6 in), weight 14.5–22 g
A small, brown, or olive, streaky pipit; the streaks becoming closely packed on the upper breast. White outer tail feathers. Indistinct facial pattern. Legs pinkish-yellow, with a distinct long hind claw.

Similar species

Autumn plumage
Photo © by Dave Whistle
Norfolk, England, 8 October 2005

Tree Pipit and Rock Pipit
For differences between Eurasian Skylark and Meadow Pipit see this thread in Tips for New Birders Forum

Distribution

Iceland, the Faroes and British Isles, and Europe. Very common in Iceland, the Faroes and British Isles, from north and central France east to the northern shores of the Black Sea and north to the whole of Fennoscandia and northern Russia including western Siberia. Isolated resident populations in the Apennines and Caucasus and has bred in the former Yugoslavia and Romania. Resident in the Faroes, British Isles and east to Denmark but elsewhere a summer visitor.

In winter occurs throughout western and southern Europe, north Africa, and southwest Asia; many birds undergo more local movements from upland to coastal areas. Main movements in August-October and April-May.

Vagrants recorded in Svalbard and Bear Island, the Azores and Madeira, and regular winter visitor in small numbers in Kuwait.

Taxonomy

Note long hind claw in flight
Photo © by IanF
Saltholme RSPB reserve, Cleveland, England, 20 September 2010

Variation is mostly clinal, with darker birds predominating in the west and paler birds in the east.

Subspecies

Two weakly defined races recognized[2]. Considered monotypic by some authorities[1][3][4][6]:

  • A. p. whistleri: slightly darker and more rufous above and buff below than nominate, following Gloger's rule.
  • A. p. pratensis:

Habitat

Open country including fields and farmland, marshes, meadows, heaths and moorland. Also on coastal grasslands, sand-dunes open beaches, especially in winter. Likes open country with plenty of vegetation - upland moorland, heathland, fens, grassland, flood meadows and coastal marshes.

Behaviour

Creeps about in longish grass.

Often sits on fence wires where long hind claw can be clearly seen.

Diet

Juvenile
Photo © by Mark Holderness
Win Green, Charlton, Wiltshire, 22 June 2020

Their main diet consists of small invertebrates, with the addition of some seeds.

Flight

Rather erratic.

Vocalisation

A high 'weesk weesk weesk'; a high accelerating song ending in a trill - given in flight.

Meadow Pipit voice clip

References

  1. Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). 2018. IOC World Bird List (v8.2). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.8.2. Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
  2. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  3. Christidis et al. 2014. The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World, version 4.1 (Downloadable checklist). Accessed 15 September 2018 from https://www.howardandmoore.org/
  4. Alström, P., K. Mild & B. Zetterström, 2003. Pipits and wagtails of Europe, Asia and North America. Identification and systematics. 1‐496. Christopher Helm, London.
  5. BirdLife International. 2017. Anthus pratensis (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22718556A110870898. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22718556A110870898.en. Downloaded on 14 September 2018.
  6. Tyler, S. & Sharpe, C.J. (2018). Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/57798 on 15 September 2018).
  7. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
  8. Tyler, S. and C.J. Sharpe (2020). Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.meapip1.01

Recommended Citation

External Links

A few photos you see in additional images are of Tree Pipits. Although not mentioned above, the photos highlight how useful bill size can be in identification (with Tree having a more hefty bill)

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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