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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CXXVII
Field-journal plate: Meadow Pipit
The Meadow Pipit plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CXXVII

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensis

Motacillidae · Taxon 13729

Length14.5–15 cm
Wingspan22–25 cm
Weight15–22 g

Field marks

  1. Small, slender pipit with a relatively long tail
  2. Fine, straight, sharply pointed bill
  3. Dark eye with a narrow pale eye-ring and weak pale eyebrow
  4. Olive-brown upperparts with dark streaking and pale-edged wing feathers
  5. Buff-white underparts with bold dark streaks across the breast and flanks
  6. Pale pinkish legs; brown tail with narrow white outer edges

HabitatOpen ground with low vegetation, including grassland, pasture, heath, moorland, bogs, and lightly farmed fields; also salt marsh and occasionally open woodland in winter.

BehaviorTerrestrial and often inconspicuous; forages on the ground for small insects and other invertebrates, adding seeds and berries especially in winter. When flushed, it rises in a slightly bounding flight that can reveal the white sides of the tail. It also uses low elevated perches and performs a short, repetitive song flight.

Palette

olive browndark brownwarm buffcreamy whitedusty pink