These small but lively birds are a common sight in UK forests and heaths. <\/p>
Rock pipits (Anthus\u00a0petrosus<\/em>) are small, brown birds that can be found foraging for insects on the ground or perching in trees, especially when singing.<\/strong><\/p> Learn how to identify this little bird and where to spot it in our expert guide.<\/p> Remember that pipits are small songbirds that walk, rather than hop, on the ground\u00a0in open areas. <\/p> Of the pipits, this one has\u00a0the\u00a0darkest\u00a0brown plumage, especially on the back, and it\u2019s important to note the streaks on the breast.<\/p> These are broader and more smudged than those of other pipits, as if drawn by a B pencil as opposed to the other pipits\u2019 HB. Also, note that the legs are very dark red, often looking almost black, whereas other pipits other than water pipit have\u00a0pink legs.<\/p> Another good feature is that there is hardly any pale stripe over the eye, and finally,\u00a0the outer tail feathers are pale buffy brown (white in all others).<\/p> Breeding on rugged rocky coasts and cliffs, the rock pipit has an unusual diet, in some ways\u00a0more like that of a shorebird than a songbird.<\/p> For instance, it eats many molluscs, even periwinkles, as well as worms<\/a>, crustaceans and even small fish, and is quite content to wade in salt water.<\/p> This bird can be seen all year round. Not all birds are well named, but this is a good one. It really does prefer rocky coasts and, if you want to see one, a rocky, shingly beach is often a good place, at any time of year.<\/p> It often feeds among seaweed\u00a0along the strand line, where its\u00a0relatively dark plumage offers good camouflage.\u00a0<\/p>What does a rock pipit look like?<\/h2>
What do rock pipits eat?<\/h2>
Rock pipit habitat and distribution<\/h2>
What does the rock pipit call sound like?<\/h2>