Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)
Olive-backed Pipit

Olive-backed Pipit

Anthus hodgsoni

The Olive-backed Pipit, Anthus hodgsoni, is a small, sprightly passerine bird, a member of the pipit genus Anthus. It is recognized by its olive-toned back, which is less streaked compared to its cousin, the Tree Pipit. The bird's head pattern is distinctive, with a well-defined supercilium, adding to its unique identification.

Identification Tips

Adult Olive-backed Pipits are approximately the size of a sparrow, measuring around 15 cm (5.9 in) in length. They exhibit a greenish-brown coloration streaked with darker brown on the upper parts. The supercilium, double wingbar, and outer tail feathers are whitish, while the underparts are whitish to buff, streaked with dark brown on the breast and flanks. Both sexes appear similar in plumage.

Habitat

During the winter, the Olive-backed Pipit can be found in evergreen woodlands, while in the summer, it prefers groves and wooded biotopes.

Distribution

This species breeds across a vast range from the Himalayas in Pakistan and India, extending westward through Nepal, into China, reaching north to Gansu province, and eastwards through Korea to Japan. Its range continues north through north-central Asia into northeastern Europe, including European Russia. In winter, it migrates to a broad southern region across Asia, from peninsular India, east to Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

Behaviour

Olive-backed Pipits are often observed singly or in pairs. They exhibit terrestrial foraging behavior, running about on the ground in search of food. When disturbed, they may take flight into trees with a characteristic jerky and undulating motion.

Song & Calls

The song of the Olive-backed Pipit is lark-like, delivered on the wing, and is similar to that of the Tree Pipit but is executed at a faster pace and higher pitch. Its call is a single 'tseep' or 'spek', again reminiscent of the Tree Pipit.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from May to July. The nest is a cup-shaped structure composed of moss and grass, discreetly placed on the ground under a tuft of grass or a boulder in open woodland and scrub. The clutch typically consists of 3 to 5 eggs, usually 4, which are dark brown and spotted with darker markings. The species is known to raise usually two broods per season.

Diet and Feeding

The Olive-backed Pipit's diet consists largely of insects, supplemented by grass and weed seeds.

Conservation status

The Olive-backed Pipit is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of widespread decline.

Olive-backed Pipit Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Olive-backed Pipits on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Wagtails, Pipits

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.