Page 286 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

PIPITS AND WAGTAILS
Order Passeriformes Family Motacillidae Species Anthus cervinus
streaked dark cap
Red-throated Pipit strong pale stripe
over eye
boldly streaked, dull
streaked finely whitish underside
rump ADULT streaked
(SUMMER) crown
pinkish to brick-red
face, throat, and
upper breast
short,
white-
edged tail
blackish brown yellow
and cream stripes base to
on back bill
IMMATURE (1ST WINTER)
IN FLIGHT
duller face than
short-tailed, in summer
stocky shape even, broad black
stripes on white
underparts

ADULT ADULT (WINTER)
(SUMMER)

n summer, this is a pipit of the far north; in spring it may be found FLIGHT: stronger than Meadow Pipit, less hesitant,
Iin damp, grassy places and around pools and salt pans in southeast more direct like Tree Pipit.
Europe. It is a regular but rare autumn migrant in west
Europe.Although it is just another “streaky pipit”, it
does have a call note that, once heard, is remarkably
distinctive, instantly revealing the presence of a calling
bird flying over or flushed from the grass.
VOICE Call distinctive: high, slightly explosive,
penetrating, fading out psseeeeee, also harder chup;
song rhythmic repetition of sharp, fine, ringing notes
and buzzy trills.
NESTING Grassy cup on ground in vegetation; 4 or 5
eggs; 1 brood; May–June. VARIABLE RED
FEEDING Takes insects and other invertebrates from This adult Red-throated Pipit is at the reddest-faced, least-streaked
ground; eats some small seeds. extreme of summer.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in extreme N Scandinavia
MEADOW PIPIT TREE PIPIT on tundra, mountains, and in
different call; different call;
see p.282 see p.283 willow swamp. Widespread
migrant in damp places in C and
plainer E Europe, but rare in W; likely on
flanks
open ground, swampy areas,
less streaked
coastal dunes, and islands.
duller Seen in the UK
JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 14–15cm (5 1 ⁄2 –6in) Wingspan 22–25cm (9–10in) Weight 16–25g ( 9 ⁄16 – 7 ⁄8oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 5 years Status Secure†
284