Blyth's Pipit

Overview

Blyth's pipit (Anthus godlewskii) is a medium-sized passerine bird that breeds in Mongolia and neighbouring areas of China, Tibet and India. It acts as a long-distance migrant moving to open lowlands in Southern Asia, although it is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

Identification

• Large size but undistinguished appearance on the ground, mainly brown above and pale below.
• Distinguished from Richard's pipit by being slightly smaller with shorter legs and a shorter dark bill.
• Flight is strong and direct.
• Gives a characteristic high-pitched "pshee" call.

Habitat

Breeds in Mongolia and neighbouring areas of China, Tibet and India. It migrates to open lowlands in Southern Asia for winter. It is also a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

Diet

The species is insectivorous.

Did you know?

The specific name godlewskii commemorates Polish nobleman and field naturalist Victor Godlewski, while the genus name Anthus is the Latin name for a small bird of grasslands.