Passeriformes / Motacillidae / Anthus

Red-throated Pipit

Anthus cervinus · 红喉鹨

IUCN: Least Concern Found in China

Introduction

A small passerine bird breeding in the far north of Europe, the Palearctic, and northern Alaska. It is a long-distance migrant wintering in Africa, South-East Asia, and western Alaska. The global population is estimated at about two million individuals and is rated as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Description

Adults in breeding plumage are identified by a brick-red face and throat. In other plumages, the bird is heavily streaked brown above with whitish mantle stripes, and features black markings on a white background below. It has more streaks on the cap, back, flank, rump, and chest than similar species.

Identification

Distinguished from the meadow pipit and autumn tree pipit by a more striped appearance due to larger numbers of streaks. Flight is strong and direct. Gives a characteristic psii call in flight.

Distribution & Habitat

Breeds in boreal regions of Northern Europe, Asia, and northern Alaska. Breeding habitats include open country, mountains, marshland, and tundra. Winters in Africa, South-East Asia, and western Alaska. Vagrant to Western Europe.

Behavior & Ecology

Insectivorous but also eats seeds. Nests on the ground beside grass tussocks, on rough grassland, or on marsh hummocks. The nest is constructed from dry grasses and sedges with a soft lining of reindeer hair or down. The female incubates four to six eggs for nearly two weeks. Young fledge and leave the nest about 12 days after hatching.

Conservation

Rated as Least Concern by the IUCN. The global population is estimated at about two million individuals and is believed to be stable with no particular threats.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0