Species Profile

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensis

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

2–3 years

Length

14–15 cm

Weight

15–22 g

Wingspan

22–25 cm

Migration

Partial migrant

This small, streaky songbird is a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into grassy fields and open landscapes worldwide.

Also known as: Titlark, Meadow Lark

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Gallery

Appearance

The Meadow Pipit is a small, slender bird with brown upperparts streaked with darker brown. Its underparts are pale buff with heavy streaking on the breast and flanks. The bird has a thin bill, long legs, and a noticeably long hind claw.

Both sexes look similar, with juveniles having a more yellowish tinge to their plumage. During the breeding season, adults may show slightly brighter plumage, but the change is subtle.

Identification & Characteristics

Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: White
Beak: Brown
Legs: Orange

Attributes

Agility75/100

Strength30/100

Adaptability80/100

Aggression40/100

Endurance70/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

Meadow Pipits inhabit open country, including grasslands, heathlands, moorlands, and coastal areas. They are widespread across Europe, from Iceland to western Russia and parts of western Asia.

In the UK, they are common breeding birds in upland areas and coastal regions. During winter, many birds from northern populations move south, with some UK birds migrating to southern Europe and North Africa.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

Wales

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Cambridgeshire

Rutland

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Bedfordshire

ResidentYear-round

Buckinghamshire

ResidentYear-round

Berkshire

ResidentYear-round

Bristol

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jul, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Cheshire

Cornwall

Cumbria

Derbyshire

Devon

Gloucestershire

Dorset

Durham

East Riding of Yorkshire

Essex

East Sussex

Hampshire

Herefordshire

Hertfordshire

Isle of Wight

Kent

Merseyside

Lancashire

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

London

Manchester

Northumberland

Norfolk

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

North Yorkshire

Oxfordshire

South Yorkshire

Tyne and Wear

West Midlands

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Suffolk

Shropshire

Somerset

Surrey

Staffordshire

Stockton-on-Tees

Warwickshire

ResidentJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Wiltshire

West Yorkshire

Worcestershire

West Sussex

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Diet

Meadow Pipits primarily feed on small invertebrates, including flies, beetles, moths, worms and spiders. They forage on the ground, picking insects from vegetation or soil and sometimes in flight.

During autumn and winter, they supplement their diet with small seeds, particularly from grasses and weeds.

Behaviour

Meadow Pipits are often seen walking or running on the ground, bobbing their tails as they move. During the breeding season, they frequently perform a distinctive parachuting display flight, rising up to 50 meters before descending with wings and tail spread.

These birds are generally gregarious, forming small flocks outside the breeding season.

Calls & Sounds

The Meadow Pipit's call is a thin, high-pitched 'seep-seep' often given in flight. Its song, delivered during the display flight, is a series of descending 'seep' notes followed by a trill, sounding like 'seep-seep-seep-seep-sirrrrrr'. The song becomes more rapid as the bird descends.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Meadow Pipits typically begins in April. Males perform elaborate song flights to attract females, rising up to 50 meters before parachuting down to the ground.

The nest is built on the ground, often concealed in grass or heather. It's a cup-shaped structure made of grass and lined with finer materials. The female usually lays 3-5 eggs, which are greyish-white with brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 13-15 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 10-14 days. Meadow Pipits often raise two broods per season.

Conservation

While listed as Least Concern globally, Meadow Pipit populations have declined in some areas due to agricultural intensification and habitat loss.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable grassland habitats and promoting sustainable farming practices that benefit ground-nesting birds.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 24,000,000 - 33,000,000 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Decreasing^[2]

Elevation

Sea level to 3,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Meadow Pipits are preyed upon by various raptors, including Merlins, Sparrowhawks, and Kestrels. Ground predators such as foxes and stoats also pose a threat, especially to nests and young birds.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Meadow Pipits in open grasslands and moorlands
Listen for their distinctive 'seep-seep' call as they fly
Watch for their characteristic bobbing tail movement when on the ground
Observe their parachuting display flight during the breeding season
In the UK, they're common in upland areas and coastal regions

Did You Know?

Meadow Pipits are the most common songbirds in the uplands of Britain and Ireland.
They are an important host species for the Common Cuckoo, which often lays its eggs in Meadow Pipit nests.
Despite their small size, some Meadow Pipits migrate over 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) between breeding and wintering grounds.