Alpine pipit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alpine pipit |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Anthus
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| Species: |
gutturalis
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Anthus gutturalis wollastoni Anthus gutturalis rhodedendri Anthus gutturalis gutturalis |
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The alpine pipit (Anthus gutturalis) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the Motacillidae family, which includes wagtails and pipits. This bird lives only in New Guinea, a large island north of Australia.
Contents
What Does the Alpine Pipit Look Like?
The Alpine Pipit is a medium-sized bird. It lives in high mountain grasslands. Its back and wings are light brown. The tips of its back feathers and wings are tan. Its chest is also a strong tan color.
This bird has a thin, pointed beak. Its legs are a medium length and red. They are attached to feet with long toes and sharp claws. The pipit also has three long tail feathers. These feathers stick out about two inches from its body.
What Does the Alpine Pipit Sound Like?
Alpine Pipits sing when they are flying. They usually sing just above the ground. Their song sounds like "tsee tsee" repeated many times. It is a high-pitched and quick sound. The pipit often sings this way for a long time.
You can listen to an Alpine Pipit's song here: Click Here to Listen
What Do Alpine Pipits Eat?
Alpine Pipits mostly eat insects and their larvae. They also enjoy arthropods, which are creatures like spiders and beetles. Their diet also includes grass seeds, berries, and green herbaceous plants.
These birds find their food on the ground. They walk around, or "waddle," to search for food. Sometimes, they even forage in groups. If an Alpine Pipit feels threatened, it will fly up to rocks, bushes, or trees. These are usually found at the edges of the forest. When searching for food, they sometimes hold their beak at a 45-degree angle towards the sky.
Where Do Alpine Pipits Live?
The Alpine Pipit is native to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It lives in alpine grasslands. These are found at the highest parts of the mountain ranges in Papua New Guinea. These mountains are very tall, from about 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) to 4,500 meters (14,760 feet) high. Sometimes, the Alpine Pipit will go down to mountains that are 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) high.
You can often find the Alpine Pipit near small shrubs and short grass. Their home is a terrestrial system, meaning they live on land. Their specific habitat type is Grassland.
Are Alpine Pipits Endangered?
The Alpine Pipit is currently listed as a "Least Concern" species. This means that its population is not in danger right now. Even though this bird only lives in West Papua, its population seems to be stable. This is good news for the Alpine Pipit!
How Do Alpine Pipits Raise Their Young?
Alpine Pipits breed during the wet season. This usually happens in April, September, and October. During these months, single baby birds, called nestlings, have been found. Their nests are made of fine grass. They are often built on a steep bank.
Alpine Pipits do not migrate for breeding. They stay in the same areas all year round.
