Blyth's pipit is a medium-sized passerine bird which breeds in Mongolia and neighbouring areas of China, Tibet and India. It is a long distance migrant moving to open lowlands in Southern Asia. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.
Region
Central and South Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds across the Mongolian Plateau and adjoining northern China and Tibet in open steppe, upland meadows, and sparse grasslands. During the non-breeding season it moves to the Indian subcontinent and nearby South Asia, using dry plains, agricultural fields, pastures, and scrubby grasslands. It avoids dense vegetation and prefers short, open swards where it can walk and glean prey. It occurs as a scarce migrant or vagrant in the Middle East and is a very rare visitor to western Europe.
Altitude Range
0–4000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Blyth's pipit breeds on the open steppes of Mongolia and adjacent China and undertakes long migrations to winter in the lowlands of South Asia. It is famously tricky to distinguish from Richard's pipit, but has a shorter hindclaw, finer bill, and a subtly different flight call. In winter it frequents dry grasslands, stubble, and fallow fields, often walking briskly as it forages on the ground. It is a rare vagrant to western Europe, where identification relies heavily on call and detailed plumage features.
Temperament
wary and inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short, rapid wingbeats and bounding, slightly undulating flight; often performs brief song-flights
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in small, loose groups on the breeding grounds, becoming more gregarious in winter in open fields. Nests on the ground, well concealed in grass tussocks. Both parents participate in feeding the young, and birds walk rather than hop while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a thin, hurried series of buzzy notes often delivered in a short song-flight. The flight call is a dry, clipped tsip or dzrt that is softer and less strident than Richard's pipit.
