|Irish Name:||Riabhóg Mhóna|
|Scientific name:||Anthus pratensis|
One of the commonest bird species in Ireland, favouring rough pastures and uplands.
A very non-descript bird when seen in the field. Meadow Pipits are brown above with black streaking on a white breast and belly. The beak and legs are pinkish. It looks very similar to a Skylark, but that species is slightly larger than a Meadow Pipit and has a broad white stripe above the eye. Rock pipit is dark grey on the back and has much denser dark streaking on the breast.
A rapid “vist-vist-vist” call is given when alarmed or flushed from cover. Performs a short song flight from a post, which acts as a song. The bird flies straight up, before parachuting back down to the original post.
Feeds on Invertebrates such as craneflies, mayflies and spiders and to a lesser extent on seeds.
Very widespread breeding species in Ireland, with around 500,000 to 1,000,000 pairs. Found in bogs, uplands and areas of scrub and pasture.
Generally sedentary, but moves to lowland areas from breeding sites in uplands. Significant numbers of European birds move to Ireland in winter.
Countryside Bird Survey and BirdTrack.
Common throughout Ireland.
Occasional Winter influxes from Europe.
Blog posts about this bird
Red Alert - Irish Garden Birds of Conservation Concern
For more details about the Irish Garden Bird Survey click here, or download the survey form below.