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Meadow Pipit
last update: Apr 21, 2009 10:41 AM
Latin name: Anthus pratensis
Population: 14-32 million individuals
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: Southeastern Greenland, Iceland, northern Scandinavia, and Russia east to the shores of the White Sea
Age/ life expectancy: 3 years
Wingspan: 22-25 cm
Length: 14-16 cm
Weight: 18-24 g
Mating/Breeding: Meadow Pipits breed in open country on heaths, moors, bogs, and coastal marshes. The nest is on the ground usually well concealed, and built by the female from dry grass and lined with finer grass and hair. Incubation is by the female only. The young are fed by both parents.
Eggs: 3-6 eggs varying from almost pure white to uniform dark brown, with variable brown blotching
Hibernation: migrates to southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia
Hunting Habits: ground foraging
Feed on: invertebrates and some seeds
Predators: crows, magpies, and rooks
Colour/Body: The male and female Meadow Pipits are alike. Typically, the upperparts are grey to olive-brown in colour with darker streaks. The underparts are pale grey or buff coloured with bold streaks and spots on the breast and flanks. The belly and outer tail feathers are white. The legs are a dull pink. Juvenile Meadow Pipits are pinkish-buff and lack the dark streaks on the flanks.
