Tawny Pipit

On dry open ground, sandy brown across the back gives way to a pale, buff-white underside, with soft brown streaks on the chest and sides. A pale eyebrow marks the face, while the lower back and rump are plain. Juveniles have a scaly pattern above and heavier streaking below.

In flight it moves strongly and directly. During a wavering display flight, it repeats a loud "chir-ree" and gives a shorter, sharp "schip" call.

It breeds in dry, warm open country—steppe, semi-desert and desert—and hides its nest among vegetation on the ground. It feeds mainly on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers and ants; caterpillars also become important when it is feeding chicks. After breeding across parts of Europe, North Africa and Asia, it heads south for winter in tropical Africa and the Indian subcontinent.