Britains/The worlds smallest walking bird (1 Viewer)

[DJA]

Hi there
Is there anybody out there that knows what the smallest walking (Not Hopping) bird is in Britain or in the world for that matter.
Someone at work (A know it all Non-birder) is adamant its the Pied wagtail, I've looked at all my Brittish Field Guides and come up with Meadow Pipit. Although the Yellow wagtail is slightly smaller. Am I right or can anyone help out there.

Please Help!!!

 

[halftwo]

Hi DJA,

A little difficult to give a definitive answer.
First define "walking bird" and "hopping bird".
Next define what you mean by "in Britain"!

However - let's say all pipits & wagtails are included - so Meadow pipit is smaller than Pied wagtail - so you're know-it-all friend's wrong straight off.
Pechora pipit (rare British vagrant) is smaller still.
Short-toed & Lesser short-toed larks are even smaller.(Both recorded in Britain).

However, the Locustella warblers walk too - Grasshopper warbler is smaller than any of the above - and Lanceolated warbler at 11.5cm is yet smaller.

So much for Britain. As for the rest of the world I'm sure we can get smaller than that.

H

 

[Jos Stratford]

Agree with H,

Need to define 'walking', what do Wrens do when on the ground or scampering along logs?