REGULAR FEATURES
By: Marj Webber
Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae
AUSTRALASIAN PIPITS ARE A COMMON SIGHT ON BRIBIE ISLAND IN GRASSY PATCHES, HEATHLANDS AND ALONG THE EDGES OF HORNSBY AND TREATMENT WORKS ROADS. THEY ARE SMALL, UPRIGHT, SLENDER, GROUND-DWELLING, PASSERINE BIRDS ABOUT THE SIZE OF HOUSE SPARROWS, 15-17CM IN LENGTH AND WEIGHING 2130G. THE PLUMAGE IS
MAINLY BROWN WITH DARK STREAKS ABOVE, CREAM UNDERNEATH AND WHITISH STRIPES ON EYEBROWS AND NECKS. EYES ARE BROWN AND BILLS AND FEET ARE PINK. BREASTS ARE STREAKED AND WINGS AND TAILS ARE BROWN. Australasian Pipits are terrestrial birds that are found almost always on the ground in several habitat types such as grassy areas, grassy roadsides, farmlands, forest clearings and heathlands. Newly cleared land is often quickly found and
settled upon. Besides living in most parts of mainland Australia and Tasmania they are in New Zealand, PNG, Asia and Africa. Usually, they are sedentary birds but if their circumstances change, they can become locally nomadic and move to find better conditions. Food consists mainly of insects and their larvae, as well as seeds from local grasses. They feed only on the ground, often in small flocks. When foraging they wag their tails up and down which is thought to disturb insects, making them easier to prey upon. From August to December are their most likely breeding months. Cuplike nests of grass lined with soft grasses and hair are built on the ground, well hidden from view usually under a bush, tussock, or overhanging rock or piece of wood. Males perform an elaborate mating ritual consisting of swooping dives whilst singing loud trilling songs. 2-4 whitish blotched eggs are laid by females which incubate them for about 13 days and feed the young when they are hatched. Chicks remain in the nest for about 14 days. During this time, males are mostly observers and guard the nests. After 14-16 days the
young can fly. Pipits may have 2-3 clutches in a season. Australasian Pipits can be confused with Eurasian Skylarks which are an imported species and not found in our area. They were once thought to be part of the Richard’s Pipit family, but scientific tests have revealed they are a different species. In fact, some of the older bird field guides still refer to them as Richard’s Pipits. They are one of Australia’s most common birds. Their conservation status is of least concern with their main threats being eating insects that have been sprayed with insecticides and being preyed on by introduced predators. Issue 144 July 16, 2021
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