• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Local Navigation
  • Skip to Search
  • Skip to Sitemap
  • Skip to Footer
Help develop a Bird ID tool!

American Pipit

Anthus rubescens ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: MOTACILLIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

  • Similar Species
  • Related Species
  • Go to:

The American Pipit is a small, slender, drab bird of open country. Although it appears similar to sparrows, it can be distinguished by its thin bill and its habit of bobbing its tail.

Get BNA: the definitive resource for North American birds

Appearance

Thrushlike
Thrushlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

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

Immature Description

Similar to adult.

Range Map Help

American Pipit Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • <em>pacificus</em> subspecies
    Zoom In

    American Pipit

    pacificus subspecies
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, north of Nome, Alaska, August 2004
  • Male
    Zoom In

    American Pipit

    Male
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Mt. Evans, Colorado, July 2000

Similar Species

  • Sprague's Pipit has pale legs, pale face, buffy upperparts with strong streaks, and unstreaked flanks.
  • Rare Red-throated Pipit much more heavily striped above and below, and usually has reddish throat.
  • Vesper Sparrow has thick bill, dark cheek patch, and heavier chest streaking.