Meadow Pipit

Overview

The meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) is a small passerine bird that breeds across much of the Palearctic and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is a migratory species in most of its range, though it remains resident year-round in western Europe.

Identification

• Measures 14.5–15 cm in length with a mainly brown upper body and buff underparts featuring darker barring.
• Has a thin bill and pale pinkish yellow legs, with a conspicuously long rear claw.
• Call is a faint 'tsi-tsi', and the simple repetitive song accelerates towards the end.
• Often confused with the tree pipit, but distinguished by a shorter rear claw and different song rhythm.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits open environments such as grassland, moorland, and heathland, and also uses saltmarshes and open woodland in winter. Its range extends from south-eastern Greenland and Iceland east to just east of the Ural Mountains, with an isolated population in the Caucasus Mountains.

Diet

Mainly feeds on insects and other invertebrates smaller than 5 mm, while also consuming seeds from grasses, sedges, rushes, and heather, plus crowberry berries in winter. It forages exclusively on the ground but uses elevated perches like shrubs or fence lines to watch for predators.

Did you know?

The meadow pipit is one of the most important nest hosts for the cuckoo and serves as a significant prey species for raptors such as merlins and hen harriers.