American Pipit Similar Species Comparison

Main SpeciesAmerican Pipit

Nonbreeding adult/immature

A small, slim songbird with a short, thin bill. Nonbreeding/immature birds are gray to brown above with variable amounts of streaking below.

Breeding adult

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.

Nonbreeding/immature

A small, slim songbird with a short, thin bill. Brownish or grayish above, pale below, typically with streaks on the breast and sides, especially in winter. Bobs tail frequently.

Not all videos have sound

Nonbreeding adult/immature

In flight, note prominent white outer tail feathers and listen for "pi-pit" call.

Nonbreeding adult/immature

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.

Nonbreeding/immature

An inconspicuous songbird, recalling a sparrow, but lacking a sparrow’s heavier bill. Often first detected, both on the ground and in flight, by its strident "pi-pit" call.

Not all videos have sound

Breeding adult

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

Forages on the ground, walking quickly, strutting, and often changing direction to inspect the ground and low vegetation for food.

Nonbreeding/immature

Forages on the ground in wet areas and bare fields. Note that it walks rather than hops.

Not all videos have sound

Nonbreeding adult/immature

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.

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.

Habitat

Generally found in relatively barren places. Nests on the ground.

Similar SpeciesSprague's Pipit

Sprague's Pipit is similar to American Pipit

Sprague's Pipits have streaked or scaled upperparts and a paler face unlike American Pipits, which have an unstreaked back and a darker looking face with an eyering. Sprague's don't bob their tails like American Pipits.

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