Anthus sylvanus
The Upland Pipit (Anthus sylvanus) is a robust and distinctive passerine bird belonging to the family Motacillidae. Measuring approximately 16-18 cm in length with a weight of 25-30 grams, it boasts a cryptic plumage of heavily streaked dark brown upperparts and buffish-white underparts, marked with bold streaking across the breast and flanks. Key identification features include a prominent buff supercilium, a dark eyestripe, and notably, white outer tail feathers visible in flight, distingui...
Found primarily in high-altitude grasslands, rocky slopes, and open scrub, often ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 meters above sea level. It prefers areas with scattered rocks or low vegetation for cover.
Mainly insectivorous, consuming a wide variety of invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, flies, and ants. They forage by gleaning insects from the ground and making short aerial sallies for flying prey.
Upland Pipits are diurnal and primarily ground-dwelling, often observed walking or running to forage. Males perform spectacular aerial display flights during the breeding season, ascending steeply while singing vigorously, hovering, and then parachuting down to demarcate territory and attract mat...
The Upland Pipit is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Its breeding range extends across the Himalayas, from northern Pakistan eastward through India (especially Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Nepal, and Bhutan, reaching into southern China (Sichuan, Yunnan) ...
Least Concern
- The Upland Pipit is one of the larger pipit species found in Asia, often exceeding 16 cm in length. - Its scientific name, 'sylvanus,' meaning 'of the woods,' is somewhat misleading, as it primarily inhabits open grasslands and rocky uplands, not dense forests. - Males perform a dramatic 'song ...