Meadow Pipit

Scientific Name: Anthus pratensis

Range / Habitat: Breeds in a variety of open habitats in northern Europe, including Iceland and Greenland. Resident in western Europe but northern breeding populations migrate further south, as far as northern Africa, to similar open habitats, but also including seashores.

Field Notes: Small pipit with slender bill. Upperparts brown streaked with black, underparts buff, also streaked and sometimes coalescing in breast spot.

Personal Notes: We found this European bird to be somewhat of a cross between an American Pipit and an Eastern Meadowlark in its behaviour.

Western Yellow Wagtail

Scientific Name: Motacilla flava

Population Estimate: Unknown, but Least Concern status.

Range / Habitat: Breeds in much of temperate Europe and Asia. Resident in the milder parts of its range, such as western Europe, but northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia.

Field Notes: Breeding adult male is olive above and yellow below, with facial markings that vary by subspecies. Characteristic long, constantly wagging tail.

Personal Notes: Seen at Donana National Park, Spain.

New Zealand Pipit

Scientific Name: Anthus novaeseelandiae

Population Estimate: Unknown, but Least Concern status

Range / Habitat: Native to New Zealand. Found year-round in grassland and open areas throughout both islands. 

Field Notes: Slender, long-tailed, ground-favoring songbird. Prominent white eyebrow. Head and upperparts brown, underparts white with streaked brown. Frequently flicks tail up and down. Eurasian Skylark similar but with with small crest, less distinct eyebrow, M-shaped wings in flight, and a call which is a torrent of trills and runs. 

Personal Notes: Seen on the east coast of the Wairarpa. Formerly lumped as Richard's Pipit or Australasian Pipit. Not all sources spilt the New Zealand type. Maori name Pihoihoi. 

Buff-bellied Pipit

Scientific Name: Anthus rubescens

Population Estimate: 20M

Range / Habitat: Prefers open, rocky areas. During summer / breeding season found in tundra of northern Canada, most of Alaska, and into a portion of the most elevated regions of the American west. In winter, migrates to the southern US and all of Mexico.

Field Notes: Slender, drab bird. Appears similar to sparrows but thinner bill and longer tail. Has habit of bobbing head like a pigeon. Pale supercilium and lateral throat stripe. Light streaking on the breast. Dark legs compared to other pipits.

Personal Notes: Fortuitous sighting at Beartooth Pass (on the Wyoming / Montana border) on the Fourth of July. Seen again at Acadia NP, ME. Also known as American Pipit.