Plain-backed pipit
Plain-backed pipit | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Motacillidae |
Genus: | Anthus |
Species: | A. leucophrys
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Binomial name | |
Anthus leucophrys Vieillot, 1818
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The plain-backed pipit or plain pipit (Anthus leucophrys) is a medium-sized passerine bird which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
It is found in open habitats, especially short grassland and cultivation. It builds its cup-shaped nest on the ground and usually lays three eggs. Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pipit_Plain-backed_2007_04_11_07_45_010784.jpg/220px-Pipit_Plain-backed_2007_04_11_07_45_010784.jpg)
The plain-backed pipit is a large pipit at 17 cm, but is otherwise an undistinguished looking species, faintly streaked grey-brown above and pale below with light breast streaking. It has a strong white supercilium, and dark moustachial stripes. It has long legs and tail, and a long dark bill. Sexes are similar, but juveniles have warmer brown upperparts.
Some care must be taken to distinguish this species from wintering tawny pipits, Anthus campestris. The plain-backed pipit is sturdier and darker than the Tawny, and stands more upright. Perhaps the best distinction is the characteristic "ssissik" call, quite different from the tawny pipit's "tchilip".
References
[edit]- ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Anthus leucophrys". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22718485A131984191. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22718485A131984191.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1
- Plain-backed pipit - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.