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Birds by name

Rock pipit

Conservation status: Green

The rock pipit is a large stocky pipit, larger than a meadow pipit and smaller than a starling. It is streaky olive-brown above and dirty white underneath with dark streaking. It breeds around the coast where there are rocky beaches, and most of the birds that breed in the UK are residents, with only the young birds dispersing once they become independent. Some birds arrive here from Norway to spend the winter.

Overview

Latin name

Anthus petrosus

Family

Pipits and wagtails (Motacillidae)

Where to see them

Look for it on rocky shorelines around the UK as it hops, walks and runs foraging for food among the boulders. Birds are sometimes seen perched on prominent rocks. Absent from the less rocky parts of north-west, east and south England coastlines.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Insects, beetles, small fish, small shellfish and seeds.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-35,650 pairs--

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Herman van Oosten, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Rock pipit

Rock pipit
  • Size: between robin-blackbird
  • Feather colours: brown, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, yellow
  • Beak length: short
  • Beak thickness: short
  • Leg colour: black/grey, brown
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, catches insects in flight

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