American Pipit Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAmerican Pipit
Nonbreeding adult/immature
A small, slim songbird with a short, thin bill. Nonbreeding/immature birds are gray to brown above with variable amounts of streaking below.
© Mason Maron / Macaulay LibraryOregon, October 03, 2020Breeding adult
Small and slender with a small head and bill. Grayish brown above with variable amounts of streaking below (from none to heavy). Color of underparts also varies from yellowish to cinnamon across their range.
© Paul Maury / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, April 29, 2019Nonbreeding/immature
A small, slim songbird with a short, thin bill. Brownish or grayish above, pale below, typically with streaks on the breast and sides, especially in winter. Bobs tail frequently.
© Doug Gochfeld / Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 19, 2020Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult/immature
In flight, note prominent white outer tail feathers and listen for "pi-pit" call.
© Tom Crabtree / Macaulay LibraryOregon, September 21, 2019Nonbreeding adult/immature
Nonbreeding/immature birds have variable amounts of streaking on the breast. Note clean throat, white eyering, and small bill. Walks along the ground bobbing its tail. Flashes white outer tail feathers in flight.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, November 23, 2020Nonbreeding/immature
An inconspicuous songbird, recalling a sparrow, but lacking a sparrow’s heavier bill. Often first detected, both on the ground and in flight, by its strident "pi-pit" call.
© Sam Zhang / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 07, 2021Not all videos have sound
Breeding adult
Slender ground-dwelling bird with a short bill and small head. Grayish brown above with a pale eyering and eyebrow. Underparts vary from yellowish to cinnamon with variable amounts of streaking.
© Michael J Good / Macaulay LibraryMaine, May 31, 2017Breeding adult
Forages on the ground, walking quickly, strutting, and often changing direction to inspect the ground and low vegetation for food.
© Steve Kelling / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 25, 2019Nonbreeding/immature
Forages on the ground in wet areas and bare fields. Note that it walks rather than hops.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, December 01, 1997Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult/immature
Nonbreeding/immature birds are grayish brown above with variable amounts of streaking below. Note short, thin bill, eyering, and pale eyebrow. Walks along the ground bobbing its tail.
© Doug Hitchcox / Macaulay LibraryMaine, November 15, 2015Habitat
In migration and winter uses coastal beaches and marshes, stubble fields, recently plowed fields, mudflats, and river courses. Often seen in large groups with other pipits during the winter.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, January 07, 2017Habitat
Generally found in relatively barren places. Nests on the ground.
© Brenton Reyner / Macaulay LibraryUtah, July 19, 2014Similar SpeciesSprague's Pipit
Sprague's Pipits have streaked or scaled upperparts and a paler face unlike American Pipits, which have an unstreaked back and a darker looking face with an eyering. Sprague's don't bob their tails like American Pipits.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryKansas, October 23, 2011Similar SpeciesVesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrows have a smaller conical bill and a streaked back unlike American Pipits, which have an unstreaked back and a thin bill.
© John Reynolds / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, September 04, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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