Tawny Pipit
Anthus campestris

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– small passerine, slightly larger than sparrow, one of the ‘large pipits’
– diurnal migrant (possibly nocturnal as well)
– usually migrates singly or in very small flocks
– all rarer pipits can only be identified with certainty with good experience in identification of Meadow Pipit and Tree Pipit, especially if they do not call
– thus, as with other pipits, the call of the Tawny Pipit is one of the most important ID features

>> FLIGHT >>>>>

– the species is noticeably heavier-built than ‘small pipits’ and appears more bulky
– at close range, the pale brown-grey colouration of the upperparts and/or pale underparts can also be a good hint
– groups are very rarely seen on migration, occasionally in family groups, but usually the species is a solitary migrant

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>

BIF341_MPU_I1Q0084_140624_tawpip_d_jueterbog
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF0341, 24/06/2014, Jüterbog, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF342_MPU_I1Q0559_140627_tawpip_d_jueterbog
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF0342, 24/06/2014, Jüterbog, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF343_MPU_I1Q0030_140624_tawpip_d_jueterbog
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF0343, 24/06/2014, Jüterbog, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF344_MPU_I1Q0079_140624_tawpip_d_jueterbog
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF0344, 24/06/2014, Jüterbog, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF345_MPU_I1Q0056_140624_tawpip_d_jueterbog
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF0345, 24/06/2014, Jüterbog, Germany, Mathias Putze


Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF3649, 28/08/2021, Werben, Germany, Patrick Franke


Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF3650, 28/08/2021, Werben, Germany, Patrick Franke


Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF3648, 28/08/2021, Werben, Germany, Patrick Franke


Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF3647, 28/08/2021, Werben, Germany, Patrick Franke


Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris
BIF3646, 28/08/2021, Werben, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> SOUND ID >>>>>

flight call a typical pipit/wagtail-like steep polyphonic overslur
– like in all ‘large’ pipits also recalls Passer-sparrow calls
harmonic partial structure, the 2nd usually very well visible
– social call quite similar to Eurasian Tree Sparrow, uttered mostly at roosts


– detail –
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris, flight calls during migration
BIF0527, 13/09/2011, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß


– overview –

– detail –
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris, flight calls during migration
BIF0528, 13/09/2011, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß


– detail –
Tawny Pipit Anthus c. campestris, social calls during migration
BIF3645, 28/08/2021, Werben, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Richard’s Pipit (v) (a)
Blyth’s Pipit (v) (a)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (a)

#songbird #passerine

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