Hellmayr's Pipit

Overview

Hellmayr's pipit (Anthus hellmayri) is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae, commonly known as the wagtails and pipits. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating it has a very large range and a stable population, despite being locally uncommon to frequent as a breeding bird.

Identification

• Size approximately 14 to 16 cm in length, with the brasilianus subspecies weighing 16.5 to 20 g.
• Plumage features pale buff upperparts with bold blackish brown streaks, two wing bars, and buffy white underparts with thin dusky streaks on the breast and flanks.
• Possesses a dark brown iris, a blackish upper mandible, a pale pinkish to yellowish lower mandible with a dark tip, and bright pink legs and feet.
• Vocalisations include high, short, hurried twitters ending in a nasal drawn-out note when in Brazil, or fast sequences of high-pitched notes interspersed with a buzz in Chile.

Habitat

Found across a highly disjunct range in South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. The bird inhabits a wide variety of open landscapes, favouring moist puna grasslands in the west and Pampas grasslands, rocky hillsides, pastures, and agricultural areas in the east. It generally favours short grass or short herbaceous foliage, occurring at elevations from sea level up to 3,700 m depending on the subspecies.

Diet

The specific diet has not been extensively studied but is known to include larval and adult insects. The bird forages on the ground while walking or running.

Did you know?

Males perform a spectacular breeding display flight that can reach 60 m above the ground, ending in a spiral descent to the earth.