# American Pipit (*Anthus rubescens*) The American Pipit is a small bird that loves to hop around on the ground. It has a sweet, cheerful song and can often be seen in open fields and meadows, especially during migration. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![American Pipit](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anthus_rubescens_-Harney_County%252C_Oregon%252C_USA-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kathy & Sam from Beaverton OR, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthus_rubescens_-Harney_County%252C_Oregon%252C_USA-8.jpg) ## Appearance The American Pipit is a slender, streaky brown bird with a pale, buffy-white underside and a thin, dark bill. It has a distinctive upright posture and constantly bobs its long, dark tail, especially when walking on open ground. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Motacillidae - **Genus:** Anthus ## Interesting facts - Wow! American Pipits often perform a special 'sky dance' flight to attract a mate! - Wow! American Pipits walk rather than hop, constantly bobbing their tail as they move! - Wow! These tough birds nest right on the ground, often in a small hidden dip! - Wow! They get their name from their high-pitched, 'pipit-pipit' call they make while flying! ## Special abilities - **Wagging Wanderer:** American Pipit has a constant tail-wagging habit that helps them blend into windy, open habitats by mimicking swaying vegetation. - **Camouflage Cloak:** American Pipit has streaky brown plumage that helps them disappear against bare ground and sparse plants, hiding from predators. - **Altitude Navigator:** American Pipit can breed in high alpine tundras because of its strong flight and ability to withstand cold, sparse environments. - **Insect Investigator:** American Pipit can expertly forage on the ground, picking off small insects with its sharp bill that helps them find hidden meals. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-17 cm - **Wingspan:** 23-28 cm - **Weight:** 0.018-0.025 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 13-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding American Pipits mostly eat tiny insects and spiders, but they also snack on seeds! - **Age differences:** Young pipits are fed mostly insects by their parents. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, flies, spiders, caterpillars, grass seeds, weed seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — Small raptors like kestrels hunt pipits in open country. - **Hunts:** Moesta Wolf Spider (*Pardosa moesta*) — Pipits actively hunt wolf spiders found on the ground for food. - **Depends on:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Pipits eat the seeds of bluegrass and other common grasses. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Garter snakes can prey on eggs and young pipits from ground nests. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Pipit? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Pipit? 14-17 cm ### What is American Pipit's wingspan? 23-28 cm ### How much does American Pipit weigh? 0.018-0.025 kg ### How long does American Pipit live? 3-7 years ### How fast can American Pipit move? 45 km/h ### What does American Pipit eat? American Pipits mostly eat tiny insects and spiders, but they also snack on seeds! ### Where is American Pipit usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Fincastle Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fincastle-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [South Arkansas Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-arkansas-arboretum) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden - [Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/van-nuys-sherman-oaks-war-memorial-park) — California, US · Park - [Carver Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carver-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Cabrillo Heights Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-heights-park) — California, US · Park - [Mount Washington State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-washington-state-park) — New Hampshire, US · State Park [View all places to see American Pipit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-pipit) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [American Pipit: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-pipit)