Paddyfield Pipit

Overview

The paddyfield pipit, also known as the Oriental pipit, is a large passerine bird in the pipit and wagtail family. It is a non-migratory breeder found across open habitats in southern Asia, extending east to the Philippines.

Identification

• A large pipit measuring 15 cm, appearing undistinguished with streaked grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with breast streaking.
• Features long legs, a long tail, and a long dark bill.
• Emits a characteristic chip-chip-chip call that distinguishes it from similar species like Richard's pipit and Blyth's pipit.
• In winter, it appears smaller and dumpier with a shorter-looking tail and weaker fluttering flight compared to migrating pipit species.

Habitat

It is a resident species inhabiting open scrub, grassland, and cultivated land with open bare ground. Its range covers most of the Indian Subcontinent east to southern China and south to southern Thailand and Indochina, as well as the Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, and various islands including the Philippines and parts of Indonesia.

Diet

This bird forages by running rapidly on the ground, feeding principally on small insects, large beetles, tiny snails, and worms. It may also pursue aerial insects such as mosquitoes or termites.

Did you know?

When near the nest, parent birds may feign injury to distract predators. A species of the parasite Haemoproteus, specifically H. anthi, has been described in this bird.