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Sprague's Pipit

Anthus spragueii ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: MOTACILLIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

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.

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.

Range Map Help

Sprague
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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.

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