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Buff-bellied Pipit
last update: Apr 21, 2009 10:38 AM
Also known as the American Pipit
Latin name: Anthus rubescens
Population: 22 million individuals
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: Asian Russia in Chukotka and Kamchatka and northern North America from Alaska across mainland Canada to the northern coast and on southern Arctic islands
Age/ life expectancy: 2-5 years
Wingspan: 24-28 cm
Length: 15-18 cm
Weight: 18-22 g
Mating/Breeding: Buff-bellied Pipits are monogamous, and pairs may form during migration or on the wintering grounds. They nest on the ground, usually in a sheltered spot, tucked under overhanging grass, a rock ledge, or other object. The female builds a cup-nest out of grass, sedge, and weeds, and lines it with finer grass, feathers, or hair. She incubates 3-7 eggs for about 14 days while the male brings her food. The female broods the young for the first 4-5 days, and the male continues to bring food for the female and the chicks. After brooding, the female joins in feeding the chicks. The young leave the nest after about two weeks, but stay close and are fed by both adults for another two weeks, after which they join loose flocks of other immature birds.
Eggs: 4-7 pale greyish buff eggs, spotted red-brown
Hibernation: migrates south from northern North America to the southern US and Central America and from Russia to southern Asia from Pakistan to Vietnam
Hunting Habits: ground forager and wading in shallow water
Feed on: terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates, seeds, small crustaceans, and molluscs
Predators: mice, weasels, falcons, hawks, owls, squirrels, and house cats
Colour/Body: Buff-bellied Pipits are small, brownish, streaked birds that are sparrow-like in appearance, but with much thinner bills. Males and females look alike. They are slender, with gray-brown backs and buff-colored breasts. During the breeding season, their breasts may be streaked or unstreaked, but outside the breeding season, they are typically more heavily streaked.
Subspecies: A. r. rubescens-Northern North America; A. r. japonicus-Japan and most of north-central and northeast Asia
