Anthus rubescens
summer adult
The American Pipit is a plump-bodied songbird that often bobs its tail as it walks. The sexes are similar. Summer adults have gray upperparts with subtle streaking on the back. The wings have two pale wingbars and pale margins to the tertials. The head has a pale supercilium and a pale unmarked throat. The underparts are otherwise buff, but with dark streaking on the breast and flanks. Winter adults are similar but have bolder streaking both on the back and on the underparts. Juveniles are even more boldly marked than a winter adult. The legs are dark in all birds.
The American Pipit is present in its breeding range mainly from May to August. Outside the breeding season birds migrate south and form large flocks in winter, favoring arable fields and short grassland.
winter
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
FOOD Mainly invertebrates, with some seeds
HABITAT Tundra and mountains in summer; open farmland in winter
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor in the north; common winter visitor in the south
VOICE Song is a series of tlee-tlee-tlee notes, usually given in flight. Call is a thin pi-peet
