Water Pipit Bird Facts (Anthus spinoletta)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Water Pipit is a small, slender passerine with a streaked brown upperpart and pale underparts. It has a long tail, thin bill, and distinctive white outer tail feathers visible in flight.

During the breeding season, adults develop a pinkish wash on the breast and a pale supercilium. Non-breeding plumage is duller, with heavier streaking on the underparts.

Females are similar to males, with no significant differences in plumage or size. However, females sometimes have a greyer head. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but are darker, and their plumage is distinctly more streaked, particularly on the underparts.

Size

Length

15cm to 17cm

Wingspan

25cm to 28cm

Weight

18g to 24g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Buff

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Water Pipit can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Water Pipit can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Water Pipit can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Water Pipit is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Water Pipits breed in high-altitude meadows and rocky areas of mountain ranges across Europe and Asia. They prefer open, moist habitats near streams or snowmelt areas.

In winter, they migrate to lower elevations, frequenting coastal marshes, wet grasslands, and agricultural fields. In the UK, they are winter visitors found along the southern and eastern coasts.

Common UK locations include Norfolk, Cornwall, Dorset, Merseyside, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Surrey and Lincolnshire among other places. Sighting is best between October and April.

Elevation Range

615 to 3,200 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Water Pipit. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Algeria Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bulgaria China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Greece India Iran Israel Italy Kuwait Lebanon Libya Liechtenstein Macedonia Morocco Nepal Pakistan Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tunisia Turkey United Arab Emirates

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Andorra Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina Estonia Georgia Ireland Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mongolia Montenegro Norway Russia Serbia Tajikistan Ukraine Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Belgium Cyprus Hungary Iraq Jordan Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia The United Kingdom Turkmenistan

Species that pass through the area during migration

Afghanistan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Belarus Gibraltar Latvia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Water Pipit demonstrates considerable agility, as evidenced by its ability to walk and run swiftly on the ground, perform aerial display flights, and navigate diverse habitats from alpine meadows to coastal marshes. Its slender build and long tail contribute to its nimbleness.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small passerine weighing between 18-24 grams, the Water Pipit has limited strength compared to larger birds. However, it possesses sufficient strength for its size to perform display flights and migrate between breeding and wintering grounds.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Water Pipits show remarkable adaptability, thriving in environments ranging from 615 to 3,200 metres elevation. Their ability to adjust to both high-altitude breeding grounds and lowland wintering areas, coupled with their diverse diet, indicates high adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not particularly aggressive, male Water Pipits do establish and defend territories during breeding season. Their aerial displays and songs suggest a moderate level of assertiveness in mate attraction and territory defence, but they are not known for exceptional aggression.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Water Pipit's endurance is noteworthy, considering its migratory nature and ability to survive in harsh alpine environments. Its capacity to perform aerial displays and undertake seasonal migrations between diverse habitats indicates good stamina for a bird of its size.

Diet

Water Pipits primarily feed on small invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and small molluscs. Crickets, grasshoppers, lacewings, cicadas, sawflies, moths, butterflies and caterpillars are common prey items. Snails, worms and millipedes are also eaten.

They forage on the ground, often near water edges, picking prey from vegetation or exposed soil. During winter, they may supplement their diet with some seeds, berries and algae.

Behaviour

Water Pipits are often seen walking or running on the ground, bobbing their tails as they move. They forage by picking insects from the ground or low vegetation.

During the breeding season, males perform aerial display flights, singing as they ascend and descend.

Vocalisation

The Water Pipit's song is a series of high-pitched, tinkling notes, often delivered during its display flight. The typical call is a sharp, thin 'tsip' or 'tseep', frequently given in flight.

During the breeding season, males sing more elaborate sequences from perches or in the air.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Water Pipits typically begins in late spring. Males establish territories and attract females with aerial display flights and songs.

Nests are built on the ground, often concealed under vegetation or rock overhangs. The cup-shaped nest is constructed of grass and lined with finer materials. Females lay 4-6 eggs, which are greyish-white with dark speckles.

Incubation lasts about 14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after approximately 14-15 days.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Water Pipit is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to changes in agricultural practices and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving high-altitude breeding habitats and protecting wintering grounds in wetland areas.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

12,920,000 - 25,280,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Eurasian Water Pipit

Family:

Motacillidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 5 years

Max Lifespan

4.9 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators of Water Pipits include small raptors such as Merlins and Sparrowhawks, as well as ground predators like foxes and weasels that may raid nests.

Did You Know?

Water Pipits can survive in high-altitude environments up to 3,000 meters above sea level.
They are one of the few bird species that breed in both the Alps and the Himalayas.
Despite their name, Water Pipits are not strictly tied to aquatic habitats and can be found in dry alpine meadows.