Wagtails and pipits · Perching birds
Water Pipit
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Anthus spinoletta
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Voice
Call
Call
Call
How to recognize it
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Body length 15–17 cm
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In spring, grey head, broad white eyebrow, pale pinkish underparts
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In winter, grey-brown head, more streaked upperparts; whitish underparts with faint streaks on breast and flanks
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White outer tail feathers and dark legs
About the species
In breeding plumage, its upperparts are grey-brown with faint dark streaks, while the underside is pale pink-buff, fading to white on the belly. A grey head and broad white eyebrow give the face a clear contrast, and white outer tail feathers show as it flies. In winter, the pink tones fade, and light brown streaks appear across the breast and flanks.
When approached, it flies some distance before landing again. It usually forages alone or in pairs. Its call is a sharp "dzip", and its song comes in four or five blocks, each repeating a short note several times, from a perch or in flight.
It breeds in mountain meadows with short grass, often near wet ground, then moves to lower wetlands, marshes and rice fields for winter. On foot, it searches the ground and vegetation for insects and other small invertebrates, taking some plant material too. A few may remain at higher elevations through winter.
Where to find
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On high meadows with short grass near wet patches, watch the Water Pipit pick small invertebrates from the ground and vegetation on foot.
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In spring on mountain slopes, listen for the male's song as he rises in an arc and glides down, singing all the way.
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In winter on coastal marshes and flooded fields, an approaching walker may see a short flight away followed by another landing.
