Meadow pipit

A small, brown, 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 'parachute' display flight. In winter, they are quite gregarious and gather in small flocks, often invisible among the vegetation, suddenly flying up with 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.

Meadow pipits are found across the UK but are most common in the west and north. In winter it moves south, to more lowland areas and becomes much commoner in the southern half of the UK. They are found in open country - upland moors to saltmarshes in summer, more agricultural land and marshes in winter. They will even come to suburban parks and playing fields.