Anthus berthelotii
The Berthelot's Pipit, *Anthus berthelotii*, is a charmingly resilient passerine, a species of pipit endemic to the Macaronesian islands of the Canary Islands, Madeira, and Selvagens. This small, slender bird measures approximately 13-14 cm in length with a wingspan of 23-25 cm and weighs 14-20 grams, making it one of the daintier members of its genus. Its plumage is cryptically streaky brown above, offering superb camouflage against the rocky, arid landscapes it inhabits, complemented by buf...
This pipit primarily inhabits open, dry, and often barren landscapes including rocky slopes, lava fields, coastal dunes, arid shrubland, and cultivated fields, ranging from sea level up to 3000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates such as beetles, ants, flies, caterpillars, and spiders, supplemented occasionally by small seeds, all obtained by ground-gleaning.
Berthelot's Pipit is a diurnal bird, spending its day actively foraging on the ground. Its foraging strategy involves walking and running with a characteristic tail-bobbing motion, gleaning small invertebrates from the substrate. Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, defending ...
The Berthelot's Pipit is exclusively found throughout the Macaronesian archipelagos, making it an island endemic. Its breeding and resident range encompasses all seven main Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro), where it is a common sigh...
Least Concern
- The Berthelot's Pipit is named after Sabin Berthelot, a 19th-century French naturalist who extensively studied the Canary Islands. - Unlike most pipit species which undertake significant migrations, the Berthelot's Pipit is a year-round resident within its island territories. - Its remarkable s...