Red-throated Pipit Similar Species Comparison

American Pipit has plain gray upperparts, lacking Red-throated Pipit’s bold black and white stripes on the back. Note also American Pipit’s dark legs (compared to Red-throated Pipit’s pale legs). Red-throated Pipit’s distinctive flight call—a high-pitched, slightly descending peeez—is also helpful in detecting a vagrant individual associating with American Pipits in North America.

Meadow Pipit is very similar to immature Red-throated Pipit (which lacks a red throat) and call is the best way to differentiate them. Meadow Pipit has less contrasting plumage and is less boldly marked. Meadow Pipit has weaker markings on the back and usually has an unmarked rump, while Red-throated Pipit always has a streaked rump.

Rosy Pipit has a much broader, more prominent line above the eye than Red-throated Pipit. In breeding plumage, Rosy Pipit has a buff-pinkish wash on the throat and breast that is less intense than breeding Red-throated Pipit’s rusty-red throat and breast.

Pechora Pipit is very similar to immature Red-throated Pipit and call is the best way to differentiate them (although Pechora is less vocal than other pipits). Pechora Pipit has even stronger, more contrasting markings on the back than Red-throated Pipit. Pechora Pipit has a buffy wash on the breast that contrasts with a white belly, while Red-throated Pipit has uniformly colored underparts (either whitish or buffy).