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Water Pipit

anthus spinoletta

The Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) is a small, agile passerine bird celebrated for its adaptability to harsh, high-altitude environments. Often encountered in mountainous regions during summer, it descends to lower elevations and coastal areas in winter. This species is a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly with its rocky and grassy surroundings, making it a rewarding find for nature enthusiasts. Its distinctive call and energetic foraging style are key characteristics that define this hardy avian traveler. It's a prime example of an animal perfectly suited to its niche, navigating seasonal changes through extensive migrations.

Lebensraum: This species primarily inhabits high-altitude alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and moist tundra during the breeding season, moving to lower pastures, wet fields, and coastal mudflats in winter.

Aussehen

The Water Pipit is a slender bird, typically measuring 15-17 cm in length with a wingspan of 26-30 cm. Its upperparts are a dull brownish-grey, often finely streaked, providing excellent camouflage against rocky or grassy backdrops. The underparts are usually buffish to whitish, with prominent dark streaks on the breast and flanks. During the breeding season, some individuals may display a pinkish wash on the breast. It has dark legs, a relatively thin, pointed bill, and a noticeable pale supercilium (eyebrow stripe). A key identification feature is its habit of constantly wagging its tail, similar to a wagtail.

ReichAnimaliaStammChordataKlasseAvesOrdnungPasseriformesFamilieMotacillidaeGattungAnthus

Water Pipit

Kategorie

Vögel

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Despite its name, the Water Pipit is not necessarily tied to water year-round; it breeds in dry, rocky alpine areas but favors damp, open habitats during migration and winter.

During its elaborate courtship display, the male Water Pipit performs a 'song flight,' ascending high into the air with quivering wings before descending in a parachute-like glide while singing.

It's a skilled mimic, sometimes incorporating phrases from other bird species into its song, though this is less common than in some other passerines.

The Water Pipit's scientific name, Anthus spinoletta, is thought to be derived from Latin and Italian words referring to a small bird, possibly reflecting its preferred spiny or rocky habitats.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

The Water Pipit is exceptionally well-adapted to survive and thrive in cold, oxygen-scarce high-altitude environments, utilizing specialized foraging techniques and efficient thermoregulation.

It possesses keen eyesight and precise movements, allowing it to expertly detect and snatch small invertebrates from sparse vegetation, rocks, and damp ground with high efficiency.

Its characteristic 'tseep' or 'psii-eet' flight call is a crucial communication tool, enabling individuals to maintain contact across vast, open landscapes and during migration.

Maße und Details

Länge: 15-17 cm
Flügelspannweite: 26-30 cm
Gewicht: 0.018-0.025 kg
Lebenserwartung: 2-5 Jahre
Top Speed: 45 km/h
Gelegegröße: 4-6
Brutzeit: 14-15 Tage
Zugstrecke: 2500 km

Ernährung und Fütterung

The Water Pipit's diet primarily consists of small invertebrates, which it skillfully forages from the ground. During colder months or when insect availability is low, it supplements its diet with seeds.

Hauptnahrung

beetles
flies
spiders
grasshoppers
caterpillars
small seeds

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Stoat

Mustela erminea

Water Pipit eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to predation by small mammals.

eaten by

Eurasian Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Adult Water Pipits can be preyed upon by small raptors, especially during migration or when foraging in exposed areas.

hunts

Mountain Grasshopper

Podisma pedestris

The Water Pipit relies on various insect species as its primary food source, particularly during the breeding season.

competitor

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensis

Water Pipits may compete with other ground-feeding insectivorous birds for food resources, especially in areas where their ranges overlap.

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Sicherheit

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie identifiziert man Water Pipit?

Der einfachste Weg, Water Pipit zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.

Was ist der/die/das länge von Water Pipit?

15-17 cm

Was ist der/die/das flügelspannweite von Water Pipit?

26-30 cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Water Pipit?

0.018-0.025 kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Water Pipit?

2-5 Jahre

Was ist der/die/das top Speed von Water Pipit?

45 km/h

Was frisst Water Pipit?

Wo findet man Water Pipit normalerweise?

This species primarily inhabits high-altitude alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and moist tundra during the breeding season, moving to lower pastures, wet fields, and coastal mudflats in winter.