American Pipit Photo Gallery

Nonbreeding adult/immature (rubescens group)

Nonbreeding adult/immature (japonicus)

Nonbreeding/immature

Forages on the ground in wet areas and bare fields. Note that it walks rather than hops, and occasionally pauses to bob its tail upward.

Breeding adult (rubescens group)

Small and slender with a small head and bill. Grayish brown above with variable amounts of streaking below (from none to heavy). Color of underparts also varies from yellowish to cinnamon across their range.

Breeding adult (japonicus)

Nonbreeding adult/immature (rubescens group)

Nonbreeding/immature birds have variable amounts of streaking on the breast. Note clean throat, white eyering, and small bill. Walks along the ground bobbing its tail. Flashes white outer tail feathers in flight.

Breeding adult (rubescens group)

Slender ground-dwelling bird with a short bill and small head. Grayish brown above with a pale eyering and eyebrow. Underparts vary from yellowish to cinnamon with variable amounts of streaking.

Breeding adult (rubescens group)

Nonbreeding adult/immature (rubescens group)

Nonbreeding/immature birds are grayish brown above with variable amounts of streaking below. Note short, thin bill, eyering, and pale eyebrow. Walks along the ground bobbing its tail.

Nonbreeding adult/immature (japonicus)

Habitat

In migration and winter uses coastal beaches and marshes, stubble fields, recently plowed fields, mudflats, and river courses. Often seen in large groups with other pipits during the winter.