Eurasian Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)

OTHER NAMES: Rock Pipit, Dusky Lark, Tangle Sparrow, Sea Mouse
Latin Etymology: Anthus (a small bird mentioned by Pliny) petrosus ("rocky")

Adult Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - June 2010

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 20-28g  /  Length: 15.5-17cm  /  Wingspan: 25cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Rock pipits are a mainly coastal bird - as the name suggests they can most often be found on rocky areas, be it cliffs or rocky beaches. They are found along most of the coastline excepting the South East and the gap between Wales and Scotland, but are otherwise pretty much omnipresent. I had best luck with them around Trevose head, including this individual who let me within a few feet.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Anthus
Subspecies: none - monotypic (formerly considered lumped with Water and Buff-Bellied Pipits)

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally common breeding species (36,000 pairs)

 - Birds seen at sites including but not limited to Trevose Head, Seahouses and Rainham Marshes

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto