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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Sprague's Pipit

Anthus spragueii ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: MOTACILLIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

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Sprague

© Herbert Clarke / CLO

A rare and declining songbird of the northern prairie, Sprague's Pipit is a small bird of the open grasslands. Though it feeds and nests exclusively on the ground, the species performs the longest known flight display of any bird.

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Appearance

Sparrowlike
Sparrowlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized songbird.
  • Brown and striped.
  • Thin bill.
  • White outer tail feathers.

Immature Description

Similar to adult, but with spotting instead of streaking on the upper breast.

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Sprague
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Sprague's Pipit

    Adult
    • © Herbert Clarke / CLO

Similar Species

  • American Pipit has dark legs, grayish or brownish (not buff) upperparts with very faint streaks, and broad streaks on flanks and lower breast as well as upper breast.
  • Vesper Sparrow has thick bill, dark cheek patch, and heavier chest streaking.