# Meadow Pipit (*Anthus pratensis*) The Meadow Pipit is a small, cheerful bird that loves to hop around in grassy fields. With its brown feathers and sweet song, it brings joy to anyone who sees it! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Meadow Pipit](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Meadow-Pipit.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andreas Trepte, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meadow-Pipit.jpg) ## Appearance The Meadow Pipit is a small, streaky brown bird, subtly camouflaged against grassy environments. It has a pale belly with dark streaks, especially on the flanks and breast, and often shows pinkish-orange legs. Its fine, pointed bill and long hind claw are distinctive features. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Motacillidae - **Genus:** Anthus ## Interesting facts - Meadow Pipits often 'parachute' from the sky to impress their friends! - Their nests are tricky to find, hidden deep in the grass! - These little birds travel thousands of kilometers when they migrate! - They love munching on tiny spiders and beetles for a snack! ## Special abilities - **Sky-Dance Performer:** Meadow Pipit can perform a thrilling 'parachute' display flight because it helps them attract a mate and defend territory. - **Camouflage Master:** Meadow Pipit has streaky brown plumage that helps them blend perfectly into tall grass, making them hard for predators to spot. - **Insect Snatcher:** Meadow Pipit can dart and snatch flying insects mid-air because of their agile flight and quick reflexes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-15 cm - **Wingspan:** 21-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.015-0.022 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-6 - **Incubation:** 11-15 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These little birds feast on tiny insects and seeds found in grassy fields. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, flies, spiders, grasshoppers, grass seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** Common Cuckoo (*Cuculus canorus*) — Often chosen as a host for Common Cuckoo chicks. - **Eaten by:** Common Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) — A frequent prey item for hunting Kestrels. - **Hunts:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Eats these common spiders found in meadows. - **Hunts:** [Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ground-beetle) (*Carabus nemoralis*) — Forages for ground beetles among the vegetation. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Consumes the seeds of various common grasses. ## 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. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Meadow 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 Meadow Pipit? 13-15 cm ### What is Meadow Pipit's wingspan? 21-25 cm ### How much does Meadow Pipit weigh? 0.015-0.022 kg ### How long does Meadow Pipit live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Meadow Pipit move? 35 km/h ### What does Meadow Pipit eat? These little birds feast on tiny insects and seeds found in grassy fields. ### Where is Meadow Pipit usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Biosphärenregion Berchtesgadener Land](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berchtesgadener-land-biosphere-region) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Naturpark Lahn-Dill-Bergland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-lahn-dill-bergland) — Hessen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Vulkanregion Vogelsberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-vulkanregion-vogelsberg) — Hessen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Sauerland-Rothaargebirge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-sauerland-rothaargebirge) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Erzgebirge/Vogtland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-erzgebirge-vogtland) — Sachsen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Knüll](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-knull) — Hessen, DE · Park [View all places to see Meadow Pipit](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/meadow-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: [Meadow Pipit: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/meadow-pipit)