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Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis [Linnaeus, 1758]
Other Names
Trends & Distribution
Breeding & Survival
Biometrics
Books & Links
Order:
Passeriformes
Family:
Motacillidae
BTO Codes:
MP , MEAPI
EURING No:
10110
Number in Britain:
1.7 million territories (Summer)
Conservation Status:
UK:
AMBER
European:
Not a species of concern
Global:
Least Concern
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Status in UK:
(A) Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor
Subspecies:
pratensis (RBW), whistleri (RB) recorded in Britain (of 2 subsp. in the world)
.
Length:
14 cm
Wingspan:
24 cm
Weight:
M/F: 19 g
Scientific name from:
Gr.: anthos =a small grassland bird described by Aristotle
and L.: pratensis =found in meadows (from prati =a meadow)
World Distribution:
BREEDS: Europe & w Asia, WINTERS: south to n Africa
Habitat:
Open grassland, tundra, dunes
Diet:
Mostly insects, some seeds in winter almost always feeds on ground
Population and Distribution
Population Trend:
Regional Trends:
Distribution:
New Atlas )
British Population Size:
Summer:
1.7 million territories
in 2000
Note: Best estimate
First Record:
1544
Habitat Occupancy (in the Breeding Season):
Most frequent in:
Bog, Moorland
Also common in:
Grass/Heath, Marsh
And found in:
Coastal Habitat
Relative Frequency in Each Habitat:
European Population Size:
Summer:
1 to 14 million pairs
Birds in Europe
Listed on the Appendices/Schedules of:
Bern(III)
Survey Results:
Breeding and Survival
Egg Size:
20 x 14 mm
Egg Weight:
2.1 g (of which 6 % is shell)
Number of Nest Records:
147
(more would be welcome!)
Clutch Size:
4 - 5 eggs
4.28 ± 0.68 (2 - 6) N = 1381
Incubation:
13 - 15 days
13.64 ± 1.08 (13 - 16) N = 1381
by the:
Female
Fledging:
12 - 14 days
12.58 ± 1.20 (10 - 15) N = 2477
as:
Altricial, downy
Source:
British Trust for Ornithology (2005) Nest Record Scheme data
First Clutches Laid:
7 May (18 Apr - 16 Jun)
Number of Broods:
2
Trends in Breeding Productivity
Number Ringed:
6654
Adult Survival:
0.543
Juvenile Survival:
No data
Age at First Breeding:
1
year
Typical Lifespan:
3
years
Maximum Recorded Age:
7yr1m
(Finland: 7yr 8m)
Biometrics
Ring Size:
A
Wing Length
Adult:
81.3 ± 2.9
Range
76 - 86 mm, N =4400
Juvenile:
80.9 ± 2.8
76 - 85 mm, N =27734
Male:
83.2 ± 2.5
78 - 87 mm, N =450
Female:
77.7 ± 2.5
74 - 83 mm, N =226
Weight
Adult:
18.91 ± 2.12
Range
16.30 - 22.30 g , N =3801
Juvenile:
18.32 ± 1.41
16.10 - 20.70 g , N =22418
Male:
19.20 ± 1.75
16.90 - 22.30 g , N =404
Female:
18.48 ± 1.99 .
16.00 - 22.30 g , N =202
Source:
British Trust for Ornithology (2005) Ringing Scheme data
Other Names
Gaelic:
Riabhag-mhonaidh
Welsh:
Corhedydd y Waun
Danish:
Engpiber
Dutch:
Graspieper
Finnish:
Niittykirvinen
French:
Pipit farlouse
German:
Wiesenpieper
Hungarian:
Réti pityer
Icelandic:
Þúfutittlingur
Irish:
Riabhóg Mhóna
Italian:
Pispola
Norwegian:
Heipiplerke
Polish:
Swiergotek lakowy
Portuguese:
Petinha-dos-prados
Spanish:
Bisbita común
Swedish:
Ängspiplärka
Local Names: Hill Sparrow, Mosscheeper
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