Anthus japonicus
The Siberian Pipit, scientifically designated as *Anthus japonicus* (though widely recognized as *Anthus cervinus*, the Red-throated Pipit, in modern taxonomy), is a small, slender passerine known for its striking breeding plumage. Measuring about 14-15 cm in length with a wingspan of 23-26 cm and weighing 18-28g, adults in breeding season display a vibrant reddish-orange throat and breast, contrasting with heavily streaked brown upperparts and finely streaked flanks. Distinctive field marks ...
This pipit primarily breeds in the open, wet Arctic tundra, bogs, and damp meadows at low elevations, utilizing sparse vegetation for cover. During winter, it favors various open habitats including grasslands, cultivated fields, and marshes, often near water.
The diet consists mainly of small invertebrates such as beetles, flies, spiders, and their larvae, foraged from the ground and low vegetation. During winter or when insects are scarce, they will also consume small seeds.
Siberian Pipits are diurnal birds, actively foraging on the ground with a characteristic rapid walk-and-run motion, frequently pumping their tails. Their primary foraging strategy involves gleaning insects from low vegetation or the ground, sometimes performing short aerial sallies to catch flyin...
The Siberian Pipit boasts an expansive circumpolar breeding range across the high Arctic and subarctic tundra. This includes northern Scandinavia, vast stretches of Siberia, and across North America in Alaska and Arctic Canada. Following the breeding season, these birds undertake epic migrations ...
Least Concern
- The Siberian Pipit undertakes one of the longest migratory journeys of any passerine, traveling from Arctic breeding grounds to distant wintering areas in Asia and Africa. - Its brilliant reddish-orange throat, from which it gets its common name (Red-throated Pipit), is only prominent during th...