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Similar in build to [[Rock Pipit]], being robust and significantly larger and longer-tailed than Meadow Pipit. | Similar in build to [[Rock Pipit]], being robust and significantly larger and longer-tailed than Meadow Pipit. | ||
| − | In winter, Water Pipits are browner than Rock | + | In winter, Water Pipits are browner than [[Rock Pipit]]s with much clearer, whiter more sharply and lightly streaked underparts, less streaked mantles and more strikingly pale wing-bars. The supercilium tends to be the dominant facial feature, (eye-ring in Rock Pipit). Water Pipits often have black legs but many wintering birds do have pale legs. The completely white outer web to the outer tail feathers of a Water Pipit should rule out most [[Rock Pipit]]s, though to be 100% certain, there is a white tip to the second outermost tail feather which is never more than small and off white in even the palest, most bleached ''littoralis'' [[Rock Pipit]]. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Revision as of 16:48, 22 February 2009
- Anthus spinoletta
Identification
Summer Plumage:
- More or less unstreaked underparts
- Vinous flush on breast
- Greyish unmarked mantle and head
- Completely white outer web on outer tail feathers
Similar Species
Similar in build to Rock Pipit, being robust and significantly larger and longer-tailed than Meadow Pipit.
In winter, Water Pipits are browner than Rock Pipits with much clearer, whiter more sharply and lightly streaked underparts, less streaked mantles and more strikingly pale wing-bars. The supercilium tends to be the dominant facial feature, (eye-ring in Rock Pipit). Water Pipits often have black legs but many wintering birds do have pale legs. The completely white outer web to the outer tail feathers of a Water Pipit should rule out most Rock Pipits, though to be 100% certain, there is a white tip to the second outermost tail feather which is never more than small and off white in even the palest, most bleached littoralis Rock Pipit.
Distribution
Southern Europe and southern temperate Asia across to China.
Taxonomy
Forms superspecies with Rock Pipit and Buff-bellied Pipit. Localised from the former on habitat preferences and by the latter on range, though there is some evidence of interbreeding
Habitat
It breeds in mountain meadows, and winters on coasts, estuaries, marshes, flooded fields and water margins.
Behaviour
The diet includes insects and larvae.
4 - 5 eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for 14-15 days. The young fledge after a further 15-16 days.
Bird Song
Call is a strong Zinc, subtly different to Rock Pipit's Fisst
<flashmp3>Anthus spinoletta (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
