Richard's Pipit.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Richard's Pipit, nest with eggs.
Photo: SG Lane Collection © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Anthus novaeseelandiae
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Richard's Pipit
Scientific name: Anthus novaeseelandiae
Family: Motacillidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Small insect-eating birds
What does it look like?
Description
Richard's Pipit is a well-camoflaged brown ground-dwelling bird. It has darker brown streaks above, and has pale creamy white stripes on the eyebrows and below the cheeks. The underparts are creamy white, spotted and streaked dark on the breast. The wings and tail are dark brown, with the outermost tail feathers white. The eye is brown and the bill and feet are pale pink-grey. Seen on the ground in open country, this species often wags its tail up and down while foraging.
Similar species
Richard's Pipit resembles the introduced Skylark, Alauda arvensis, and is adapted to a similar ecological niche, with both species being well-camoflaged birds that forage on the ground. Richard's Pipit lacks the Skylark's small crest and has more creamy white underparts and eyebrows.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Richard's Pipit is found across Australia. It is also found in New Guinea, New Zealand, as well as being widespread across Africa and Asia.
Habitat
Richard's Pipit is found in open country, in a range of habitat types from wet heaths to dry shrublands and open woodland clearings.
Seasonal movements
Some altitudinal migration in winter, and Tasmanian birds move to the mainland.
What does it do?
Feeding
Richard's Pipit feeds on the ground on insects and their larvae, as well as seeds. It forages in a jerky, darting motion, stopping to perch on low stones or shrubs, wagging its tail up and down.
Breeding
Richard's Pipits fomr breeding pairs after an elaborate courtship ritual, with males making swooping dives from a height, accompanied by a sweet trilling song. The nest is a depression in the ground, sometimes sheltered by a grass tussock, stone or piece of wood, and lined with grasses and hairs. The female incubates the eggs and feeds the young.
Living with us
Living with humans
Richard's Pipit colonises newly clearly ground quite quickly.
References
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.