Berthelot'S Pipit
ExploreBirds
Berthelot'S Pipit
anthus berthelotii
Berthelot's Pipit is a charming, resilient songbird native to the rugged Macaronesian archipelagos of the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Selvagens. Despite the harsh, arid conditions of these volcanic islands, this small, ground-dwelling passerine thrives in open, sandy, and rocky terrains where other birds might struggle. Known for its energetic running style and bold personality, it is often seen darting across barren landscapes in search of small insects. Unlike many of its migratory relatives, Berthelot's Pipit is a sedentary species, remaining on its home islands year-round. It has successfully adapted to human-altered environments, showing remarkable curiosity rather than fear when encountering humans. Observing this little bird dash between volcanic rocks with its bobbing tail is a quintessential experience for anyone exploring the wilder paths of Macaronesia.
Habitat: Found in dry, open habitats including volcanic ash fields, sandy dunes, scrubby semi-deserts, and rocky slopes with sparse vegetation.
Appearance
Berthelot's Pipit is a slender, petite bird measuring about 13 to 15 centimeters in length. Its plumage is a masterclass in desert camouflage, featuring sandy-grey or light brown upperparts with subtle, dark streaking, and a pale underbelly that transitions to a lightly streaked breast. A prominent pale white stripe, or supercilium, runs above its dark eyes, giving it an alert expression. Its bill is relatively fine and sharp, suited for snatching insects, while its long, pinkish-brown legs are built for running swiftly across rocky ground.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyMotacillidaeGenusAnthus
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Because they evolved on remote islands with few natural mammalian predators, they are exceptionally fearless and will often run right up to hikers.
It was named in honor of the French naturalist Sabin Berthelot, who lived in the Canary Islands in the 19th century.
Unlike many pipits that prefer wet grasslands, Berthelot's Pipit is completely adapted to bone-dry volcanic deserts.
Special abilities
Ability
High-Speed Ground Sprinting
Equipped with long, strong legs, it can sprint exceptionally fast across open volcanic gravel and sand to chase down evasive prey rather than flying.
Ability
Arid Thermal Tolerance
It has evolved to withstand high temperatures and intense sunlight, efficiently conserving water while foraging in barren, shade-free landscapes.
Ability
Volcanic Camouflage
Its sandy-grey and streaked plumage blends seamlessly with dry soil, volcanic ash, and basalt rocks, protecting it from aerial predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 1315481759637504000+ cm
- Wingspan
- 2226210214815252500+ cm
- Weight
- 0.016+ kg
- Lifespan
- 2154371944111308800+ years
- Top Speed
- 40 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3226297380126720000+
- Incubation
- 1315582914170880000+ days
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on small terrestrial invertebrates, including beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders, occasionally supplementing its diet with small seeds.
Age differences: Chicks are fed exclusively on soft-bodied insects like caterpillars and spiders to aid fast growth, transitioning to a broader diet of harder beetles and seeds as they mature.
Primary Foods
- Grasshoppers
- Ants
- Spiders
- Beetles
- Small seeds
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Eurasian Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Commonly preyed upon by the island subspecies of the Eurasian Kestrel.
competitor
Canary Island Stonechat
Saxicola dacotiae
Competes for food and territory in the scrublands of Fuerteventura.
eaten by
Feral Cat
Felis catus
Vulnerable to predation by introduced domestic and feral cats on the islands.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Berthelot'S Pipit?
The easiest way to identify Berthelot'S Pipit is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Berthelot'S Pipit?
1315481759637504000+ cm
What is Berthelot'S Pipit's wingspan?
2226210214815252500+ cm
How much does Berthelot'S Pipit weigh?
0.016+ kg
How long does Berthelot'S Pipit live?
2154371944111308800+ years
How fast can Berthelot'S Pipit move?
40 km/h
What does Berthelot'S Pipit eat?
Feeds primarily on small terrestrial invertebrates, including beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders, occasionally supplementing its diet with small seeds.
Where is Berthelot'S Pipit usually found?
Found in dry, open habitats including volcanic ash fields, sandy dunes, scrubby semi-deserts, and rocky slopes with sparse vegetation.
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
