Birds and wildlife

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisGroup: pipits and wagtailsUK Conservation status:Not assessed

How to identify

A small, brown, and streaky bird, the Meadow Pipit is the most common songbird in upland areas. Its high, piping call is a familiar sound. In flight, it shows white outer tail feathers and, in the breeding season, it has a fluttering display flight. In winter, they are quite sociable and gather in small flocks, often hidden among plants, suddenly flying up with their typical jerky flight. Meadow Pipit numbers in the UK have been declining since the mid-1970s, resulting in this species being included on the Amber List of conservation concern.

Call

Meadow Pipit

Ruud van Beusekom / xeno-canto

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
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  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Where best to see them

Key facts