Ndtyjky

Pipits
Nilgiri pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Motacillidae
Genus:	Anthus Bechstein, 1805
Species
see text.

The pipits are a cosmopolitan genus, Anthus, of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. Along with the wagtails and longclaws, the pipits make up the family Motacillidae. The genus is widespread, occurring across most of the world, except the driest deserts, rainforests and the mainland of Antarctica.

They are slender, often drab, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. Like their relatives in the family, the pipits are monogamous and territorial. Pipits are ground nesters, laying up to six speckled eggs.

Taxonomy and systematics

The Australasian pipits of New Zealand may represent a separate species from those found elsewhere

The genus name Anthus is the Latin name for a small bird of grasslands.^[1]

Molecular studies of the pipits suggested that the genus arose in East Asia around seven million years ago (mya), during the Miocene, and that the genus had spread to the Americas, Africa and Europe between 5 and 6 mya. Speciation rates were high during the Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 mya ) but have slowed down so during the Pleistocene.^[2] Repeated dispersal between continents seems to have been important in generating new species in Eurasia, Africa and North America, rather than species arising by radiation once a continent was reached. In South America, however, vicariance appears to have played an important role in speciation.^[2]

Extant species

The genus has more than forty species, making it the largest genus in terms of numbers in its family. The exact species limits of the genus are still a matter of some debate, with some checklists recognising only 34 species. For example, the Australasian pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae, which is currently treated as nine subspecies found in New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea, once also included the Richard's pipit and paddyfield pipit of Asia, and the African pipit of Africa. In addition it has been suggested that the Australian and New Zealand populations be split,^[3] or even that New Zealand's subspecies found on its outlying Subantarctic Islands be split from the mainland species.^[4] In part the taxonomic difficulties arise due to the extreme similarities in appearance across the genus.

Within the family there is an additional species, the golden pipit, Tmetothylacus tennelus, which belongs to a distinct, monotypic genus. This species is apparently intermediate in appearance between the pipits and the longclaws, and is probably more closely related to the longclaws. One species of pipit, the yellow-breasted pipit, is sometimes split out into a genus Hemimacronyx, which is considered to be intermediate between the longclaws and pipits. The split was originally proposed based on morphological features but it has also found support based upon genetic analysis.^[5]

Formerly, some authorities placed the Kakamega greenbul (nominate) in this genus (as Anthus kakamegae).^[6]

Description

The plumage colour of the long-billed pipit is typical of the genus, although this subspecies lacks the extensive streaking many other pipits, including other subspecies, have on the breast

The pipits are generally highly conservative in appearance. They are generally between 16 to 21 cm (6.3–8.3 in) in length, although the smallest species, the short-tailed pipit, is only 11.5 to 12.5 cm (4.5–4.9 in). In weight they range from 15 to 38 g (0.53–1.34 oz). Like all members of the family they are slender, short necked birds with long tails, long slender legs with elongated (in some cases very elongated) hind claws. The length of the hindclaw varies with the habits of the species, more arboreal species have shorter, more curved hindclaws than the more terrestrial species. The bills are generally long, slender and pointed. In both size and plumage there is little differences between the sexes. One unusual feature of the pipits, which they share in common with the rest of their family but not the rest of the passerines, is that the tertials on the wing entirely cover the primary flight feathers. This is thought to be a feature to protect the primaries, which are important to flight, from the sun, which causes the feathers to fade and become brittle if not protected.^[3]

The plumage of the pipits is generally drab and brown, buff or faded white. The undersides are usually darker than the top, and there is a variable amount of barring and streaking on the back, wings and breast. The drab mottled brown colours provide some camouflage against the soil and stones they are generally found on. A few species have slightly more colourful breeding plumages, for example the rosy pipit has greenish edges on the wing feathers. The yellow-breasted pipit, if it is retained in this genus, is quite atypical in having bright yellow plumage on the throat breast and belly.^[3]

Pipits are morphologically similar to some larks. However the two groups are quite distantly related: the lark family Alaudidae is part of the Sylvioidea superfamily, rather than the Passeroidea, where the pipits are placed. Morphological differences between the two groups of birds are in fact plentiful. Anatomical differences include a differently-structured syrinx, differences in the structure of the tarsus, and in many lark genera, the presence of a distinct tenth primary, a fourth tertial, and feathers at least partially covering the nostrils.^[7] Bill shape differs between larks and pipits: larks have an evenly sloping culmen, whereas most pipits have a small hump over the nostrils, and lark bills are generally heavier, reflecting differences in diet.^[7] There are differences in the feather tracts of the two groups: while many larks have crests, no pipit does; pipits have only one prominent row of scapulars, whereas larks have two.^[7]

Distribution and habitat

Berthelot's pipit is restricted to the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Canary Islands

The pipits have a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring across most of the world's land surface. They are the only genus in their family to occur widely in the Americas (two species of wagtail marginally occur in Alaska as well). Three species of pipit occur in North America (one only here), and seven species occur in South America. The remaining species are spread throughout Eurasia, Africa and Australia, along with two species restricted to islands in the Atlantic. Some six species occur on more than one continent.^[3]

The tree pipit breeds in Europe and Northern Asia and winters in India and Africa

As might be expected from a genus with such a wide distribution, the pipits are found in an equally wide range of habitats. They occur in most types of open habitat, although they are absent from the very driest deserts. They are mostly associated with some kind of grassland, from sea-level to alpine tundra. The rock pipit and South Georgia pipit can be found in the rocks and cliffs of the seashore,^[8][9] whereas a number of species are restricted (for part of the year in some cases) to alpine areas. The family also ranges from the northern tundra and the subantarctic islands of New Zealand and the South Georgia group to the tropics.^[3] They are absent from tropical rainforests,^[2] but a few species are associated with open woodland, for example the wood pipit of southern Africa which is found in open woodland savanna and miombo woodland.^[3]

The pipits range from entirely sedentary to entirely migratory. Insular species like the Berthelot's pipit, which is endemic to Madeira and the Canary Islands, are entirely sedentary, as are some species in warmer areas like the Nilgiri pipit. Other species are partly nomadic during the non-breeding season, like the long-legged pipit of central Africa or the ochre-breasted pipit of South America. These seasonal movements are in response to conditions in the environment, and are poorly understood and unpredictable. Longer, more regular migrations between discrete breeding and wintering grounds are undertaken by several species. The tree pipit which breeds in Europe and northern Asia, winters in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, a pattern of long-distance migration shared with other northerly species. Species may also be partly migratory, with northern populations being migratory but more temperate populations being resident (like the meadow pipit in Europe). The distances involved do not have to be that long; the mountain pipit of southern Africa breeds in the Drakensberg of South Africa and migrates north only as far as Angola and Zambia. Migration is usually undertaken in groups, and may happen both during the day and at night. There is some variation in this, for example the Sprague's pipit of North America apparently only migrates by day.^[3]

Behaviour and ecology

Buff-bellied pipits will wag their tail from side to side as well as up and down

The pipits are active terrestrial birds that usually spend most of their time on the ground. They will fly in order to display during breeding, while migrating and dispersing, and also when flushed by danger. A few species make use of trees, perching in them and flying to them when disturbed. Low shrubs, rocks and termite nests may also be used as vantage points. Like their relatives the wagtails, pipits engage in tail-wagging. The way in which a pipit does this can provide clues to its identity in otherwise similar looking species. Upland pipits, for example, flick their tails quite quickly, as opposed to olive-backed pipits which wag their tails more gently. In general pipits move their tails quite slowly. The buff-bellied pipit wags its tail both up and down and from side to side. The exact function of tail-wagging is unclear;^[3] in the related wagtails it is thought to be a signal to predators of vigilance.^[10]

Feeding

The diet of the pipits is dominated by small invertebrates. Insects are the most important prey items; among the types taken include flies and their larvae, beetles, grasshoppers and crickets, true bugs, mantids, ants, aphids and particularly the larvae and adults of moths and butterflies. Outside of insects other invertebrates taken include spiders and, rarely, worms and scorpions. They are generally catholic in their diet, the composition of their diet apparently reflecting the abundance of their prey in the location (and varying with the season). The diet consumed by adults may vary to that of the young birds; for example adult tree pipits take large numbers of beetles but do not feed many to their chicks. Species feeding on the seashore are reported to feed on marine crustaceans and molluscs. A few species have been reported to feed on small fish, beating them in the manner of a kingfisher having caught them.^{[citation needed]}Rock pipits have also been observed feeding on fish dropped by puffins. These fish, which include sand eels and rocklings, were dropped by puffins being harassed by gulls.^[8] A few species also are reported as consuming berries and seeds.^[3]

Species list

The species of the genus Anthus listed in taxonomic order are as follows:

Australasian pipit chicks in the nest

• 
  Richard's pipit (Anthus richardi)


• 
  Paddyfield pipit (Anthus rufulus)


• 
  Australian pipit (Anthus australis)


• 
  New Zealand pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae)


• 
  African pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus)


• 
  Mountain pipit (Anthus hoeschi)


• 
  Blyth's pipit (Anthus godlewskii)


• 
  Tawny pipit (Anthus campestris)


• 
  Long-billed pipit (Anthus similis)


• 
  Wood pipit (Anthus nyassae)


• 
  Buffy pipit (Anthus vaalensis)


• 
  Plain-backed pipit (Anthus leucophrys)


• 
  Long-legged pipit (Anthus pallidiventris)


• 
  Meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis)


• 
  Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis)


• 
  Olive-backed pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)


• 
  Pechora pipit (Anthus gustavi)


• 
  Rosy pipit (Anthus roseatus)


• 
  Red-throated pipit (Anthus cervinus)


• 
  Buff-bellied pipit (Anthus rubescens)


• 
  Water pipit (Anthus spinoletta)


• 
  Eurasian rock pipit (Anthus petrosus)


• 
  Nilgiri pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis)


• 
  Upland pipit (Anthus sylvanus)


• 
  Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii)


• 
  Striped pipit (Anthus lineiventris)


• 
  African rock pipit (Anthus crenatus)


• 
  Short-tailed pipit (Anthus brachyurus)


• 
  Bushveld pipit (Anthus caffer)


• 
  Sokoke pipit (Anthus sokokensis)


• 
  Malindi pipit (Anthus melindae)


• 
  Yellow-breasted pipit (Anthus chloris)


• 
  Alpine pipit (Anthus gutturalis)


• 
  Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii)


• 
  Yellowish pipit (Anthus lutescens)


• 
  Peruvian pipit (Anthus peruvianus)


• 
  Short-billed pipit (Anthus furcatus)


• 
  Puna pipit (Anthus brevirostris)


• 
  Pampas pipit (Anthus chacoensis)


• 
  Correndera pipit (Anthus correndera)


• 
  South Georgia pipit (Anthus antarcticus)


• 
  Ochre-breasted pipit (Anthus nattereri)


• 
  Hellmayr's pipit (Anthus hellmayri)


• 
  Paramo pipit (Anthus bogotensis)


• 
  Madanga (Anthus ruficollis)

References

Further reading

• 
  Van Els, P.; Norambuena, H.V. (2018). "A revision of species limits in Neotropical pipits Anthus based on multilocus genetic and vocal data". Ibis. 160: 158–172. doi:10.1111/ibi.12511.
  

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anthus.

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Pipit.

• 
  Pipit videos on the Internet Bird Collection