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The Correndera Pipit (Anthus correndera) is a small passerine bird belonging to the wagtail and pipit family Motacillidae. It is a ground-dwelling bird, typically found in open grasslands and agricultural areas across South America. Known for its cryptic plumage, it blends seamlessly with its grassy surroundings, making it challenging to spot. Like other pipits, it is primarily insectivorous, foraging on the ground for invertebrates. Its song is a distinctive series of high-pitched notes, often delivered during a display flight.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 14-17 cm
- Wingspan
- 24-28 cm
- Weight
- 18-26 g
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years in the wild (estimated)
- Diet
- Insectivore, primarily feeding on small invertebrates such as insects (beetles, grasshoppers, ants, flies), spiders, and occasionally small seeds.
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Overall streaky brown plumage, providing excellent camouflage. The upperparts are dark brown with heavy blackish streaking, particularly on the mantle and back. The underparts are buffy-white to pale yellowish-buff, with prominent dark brown or blackish streaking on the breast and flanks. The throat is typically plain or lightly streaked. It has a pale supercilium (eyebrow stripe) and a dark eye-stripe. The rump is less streaked than the back.
- Beak shape
- Slender, pointed, and relatively short bill, dark horn-colored on the upper mandible and paler (flesh-colored to yellowish) on the lower mandible.
- Eye color
- Dark brown
- Leg color
- Pinkish-brown to flesh-colored legs and feet, with a noticeably long hind claw, characteristic of pipits.
- Distinguishing features
- Long hind claw, streaky brown plumage, pale supercilium, and a habit of walking and running on the ground. The streaking on the breast and flanks is a key identification feature. It often bobs its tail up and down.
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles resemble adults but may have slightly more diffuse streaking and a generally softer, less defined plumage pattern. The streaking on the underparts might be less pronounced or appear more mottled.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent throughout the year, though wear and tear can make it appear slightly duller or paler over time.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Males and females are generally monomorphic in plumage, appearing identical.
How to identify
- 1
Plumage Pattern
Look for the heavily streaked brown upperparts and the buffy-white underparts with prominent dark streaking on the breast and flanks. The pale supercilium is also a good field mark.
- 2
Behavior
Observe its ground-dwelling habits: walking and running through grass, often bobbing its tail. Its display flight with accompanying song is a strong indicator.
- 3
Vocalization
Learn its distinctive 'tsee-tsee-tsee' song, especially when delivered during its aerial display. The sharp 'chip' call is also useful.
- 4
Legs and Hind Claw
If visible, note the pinkish-brown legs and the characteristic long hind claw, which is typical for pipits and helps distinguish them from some sparrows.
- 5
Habitat
Its preference for open grasslands, pastures, and agricultural fields can help narrow down identification, especially when considering similar species with different habitat preferences.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Grasslands, savannas, agricultural fields, pastures, open shrublands, and marshy areas.
- Geographic range
- Widely distributed across South America, from southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina, west to Chile, and north into parts of Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. Some populations are resident, while others undertake seasonal movements.
- Elevation range
- Typically found from sea level up to approximately 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) in the Andes, though most commonly observed at lower to moderate elevations.
- Preferred environments
- Prefers open, short-grass habitats, often with scattered taller vegetation or tussocks for cover. Frequently found in disturbed areas such as cultivated fields and grazed pastures. Avoids dense forests or arid deserts.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal, active during daylight hours.
- Feeding habits
- Forages primarily on the ground, walking or running quickly to catch insects and other invertebrates. It probes the soil and vegetation with its bill. Occasionally makes short aerial sallies to catch flying insects. It is an active and agile feeder.
- Social behavior
- Generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they may form small, loose flocks, especially in wintering areas or during migration.
- Flight pattern
- Flight is typically undulating, with rapid wing beats interspersed with short glides. During display flights, males ascend high into the air, singing, before parachuting back down to the ground.
- Migration pattern
- Some populations are resident, particularly in warmer northern parts of their range. Southern populations (e.g., in Patagonia) are migratory, moving north to central Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil during the austral winter. Other populations may undertake altitudinal migrations.
- Territoriality
- Males establish and defend breeding territories through song and display flights. They can be quite vocal and aggressive towards intruders during the breeding season.
Song & calls
- Song
- The song is a distinctive, high-pitched, and often prolonged series of 'tsee-tsee-tsee' or 'chip-chip-chip' notes, sometimes accelerating into a trill. It is typically delivered during a display flight, where the bird ascends, hovers, and then descends while singing.
- Call
- Common calls include a sharp 'chip' or 'tsip' note, often given when flushed or in alarm. A softer 'seep' call may be used for contact.
- When they vocalize
- Most vocal during the breeding season, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. Calls can be heard year-round, especially when disturbed.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Varies geographically, but generally from September to March in the southern parts of its range (austral spring and summer).
- Nesting habits
- Nests are built on the ground, typically well-concealed within a grass tussock or under a small shrub. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of grasses, rootlets, and other plant material, often lined with finer grasses or animal hair.
- Clutch size
- 2-4 eggs
- Egg description
- Typically 2-4 eggs, whitish or pale buff, heavily speckled and blotched with brown, grey, or purplish markings, often concentrated at the larger end.
- Incubation period
- Approximately 13-15 days, primarily by the female.
- Fledging period
- Chicks fledge (leave the nest) around 12-14 days after hatching. They are still dependent on parents for some time after fledging.
- Parental care
- Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings and fledglings, though the female does most of the incubation.
Where to find
Grasslands and Pampas
Extensive natural grasslands, such as the Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay, are prime habitats.
Agricultural Fields
Actively grazed pastures, fallow fields, and areas with short crops provide suitable foraging and nesting sites.
Open Shrublands
Areas with scattered low shrubs amidst grassy vegetation can also host this species.
Marshy Edges
While not strictly a marsh bird, it can be found in the drier edges of marshlands or seasonally wet grasslands.
Field tips
- Scan Open Areas. Focus on open, grassy fields. Pipits are masters of camouflage, so they can be easily overlooked.
- Look for Movement. Watch for subtle movements on the ground – a quick run, a tail bob, or a sudden flush. They often fly up briefly when disturbed before landing again a short distance away.
- Listen for Song. During the breeding season, listen for the male's distinctive song, often given during a high display flight. This is often the easiest way to detect their presence.
- Use Optics. Binoculars are essential for picking out the subtle plumage details and confirming identification, especially when distinguishing from similar pipit species.
- Be Patient. Pipits can be shy and blend in well. Patience and careful observation are key to spotting them.
Similar species
Short-billed Pipit
Anthus furcatus
The Short-billed Pipit is very similar and often co-occurs. It generally has a shorter bill, less prominent streaking on the underparts (especially on the flanks), and often a more uniform, less contrasting back. Its song is also distinct, typically faster and more insect-like. Field identification can be very challenging and often requires careful observation of bill length, streaking patterns, and vocalizations.
Hellmayr's Pipit
Anthus hellmayri
Hellmayr's Pipit is typically found at higher elevations and has a more rufous wash on the flanks and undertail coverts, and often a more prominent buffy supercilium. The streaking on the breast can be heavier and more extensive. Its song is also different, often described as more musical and varied.
Yellowish Pipit
Anthus lutescens
The Yellowish Pipit is generally smaller and has a more yellowish wash on the underparts, particularly on the belly and undertail coverts. Its streaking is typically finer and less extensive than the Correndera Pipit. It also prefers slightly wetter, marshier habitats. The song is a high-pitched, buzzing trill.
Quick facts
- Family:
- Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
- Habitat:
- Open grasslands, pastures, agricultural fields
- Diet:
- Insects and other invertebrates
- Conservation Status:
- Least Concern
- Key ID Feature:
- Streaky brown plumage, pale supercilium, long hind claw, ground-dwelling behavior
Fun facts
- The name 'Pia-cobra' is a common name in some regions, though 'Correndera Pipit' is more widely recognized in English ornithology.
- Like many pipits, the Correndera Pipit is known for its 'tail-bobbing' behavior, a constant up-and-down movement of its tail, which is thought to be a form of communication or a way to flush insects.
- Its cryptic plumage makes it incredibly difficult to spot when it's still, allowing it to evade predators effectively.
- The long hind claw of pipits is an adaptation for walking on soft ground and grasping grass stems.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
- Species
- Anthus correndera
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