The buffy pipit is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family. It is found in plains and open countryside in southern and eastern Africa. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of least concern.
Region
Southern and Eastern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across open plains and lightly vegetated savannas, favoring short-grass pastures, fallow fields, and roadside verges. It frequents airstrips, sports fields, and recently burnt grasslands where bare ground is available. The species is widespread in southern Africa and extends patchily into parts of eastern Africa. It typically avoids dense, tall grass and heavy woodland.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Often confused with African and Plain-backed pipits, the buffy pipit is paler with warm buff tones and lighter streaking. It frequently wags its tail while walking and prefers short, open ground such as airstrips and overgrazed fields. The species benefits from recently burnt or disturbed areas where insects are abundant.
Temperament
wary and terrestrial
Flight Pattern
low, undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, becoming more loosely gregarious in non-breeding areas where habitat is optimal. Territorial during breeding, with ground nests hidden at the base of grass tufts. Pairs are monogamous for the season and display with short song-flights and perch singing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of squeaky phrases, often delivered during a brief display flight. Call is a sharp, sibilant 'tsip' or 'tsee', given while flushing or in short contact notes.
Plumage
Warm buff to sandy-brown upperparts with fine, subdued streaking and paler, lightly streaked breast. Underparts are pale buff to off-white with a warm wash on the flanks. Tail relatively long with contrasting pale outer tail feathers.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other small invertebrates, including beetles, ants, termites, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. It also takes spiders and small larvae gleaned from the ground. Seeds may be taken opportunistically, especially in dry seasons.
Preferred Environment
Forages on short-grass lawns, airstrips, grazed pastures, road verges, and burnt patches where bare ground is exposed. Typically walks or runs to pick prey from the surface, occasionally sallying a short distance to catch moving insects.
