Wood Pipit

The Wood Pipit, or Anthus nyassae, is a diminutive passerine, a member of the Motacillidae family. This avian species is typically 16 to 18 centimeters in length. It boasts warm brown upperparts adorned with dark streaks, while its underparts are a paler shade, exhibiting some streaking across the breast. A distinctive dark eyestripe is complemented by a white supercilium and pale outer tail-feathers. The juvenile Wood Pipit can be identified by its dark spots above and more pronounced streaking below compared to the adults.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Wood Pipit, look for its dark eyestripe and white supercilium, which are key distinguishing features. The pale outer tail-feathers are also indicative of this species. Compared to the similar Long-billed Pipit, the Wood Pipit has a marginally shorter bill and tail, and a larger pale area on the outer tail-feathers.

Habitat

The Wood Pipit is a denizen of miombo woodlands, a habitat characterized by the miombo tree species found in south-central Africa. This contrasts with the Long-billed Pipit, which prefers open grassland environments.

Distribution

This species has a range that spans from south-east Gabon eastward to southern and western Tanzania, and southward to north-east Namibia, northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and north-west Mozambique.

Behaviour

When disturbed, the Wood Pipit is known to perch in trees, but it primarily forages on the ground, where it seeks invertebrates as its main source of sustenance.

Song & Calls

The Wood Pipit's vocalization is a high-pitched and monotonous song, which can be used as an auditory clue to its presence.

Similar Species

The Long-billed Pipit is very similar in appearance to the Wood Pipit but can be differentiated by its slightly longer bill and tail, a smaller pale area in the outer tail-feathers, and a slightly lower-pitched voice.

Conservation status

The Wood Pipit is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of extinction in the wild.