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Birds by name

Tree pipit

Conservation status: Red

Tree pipits have brown streaked upper parts and pale under parts with further streaking on buff tinged chest and flanks. They are very similar to meadow pipits but, on close inspection, may be distinguished by their heavier bill, shorter hind claw and fine streaking on the flank - they also have very different calls. Widespread summer visitors to the UK, they occur in particularly high densities in Western uplands. Their population has undergone declines over the past 25 years, especially in central and southern England.

Overview

Latin name

Anthus trivialis

Family

Pipits and wagtails (Motacillidae)

Where to see them

Look in suitable habitat, especially newly planted conifers or open heath, in western UK.

When to see them

April to September.

What they eat

Mainly small invertebrates. Some plant matter, especially berries, in autumn.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-74,400 territories--

* 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

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Tree pipit

Tree pipit
  • Size: between robin-blackbird
  • Feather colours: brown, white, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, brown/buff
  • Beak length: short
  • Beak thickness: short
  • Leg colour: pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, catches insects in flight, eats fruit

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