Rock Pipit
| Irish Name: | Riabhóg Chladaigh |
| Scientific name: | Anthus petrosus |
| Bird Family: | Pipits |
green
Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
A widespread resident along rocky coasts.
Identification
Slightly larger than Meadow Pipit. Rock Pipits have dark grey head and back, with dense grey streaking on the breast. The beak and legs are darkish. Similar in appearance to the more widespread Meadow Pipit, but differs in dark grey back, denser streaking on breast and dark legs. Habitat is also a good way of seperating the two species.
Voice
The most frequent call is a single “vist” similar to that of the Meadow Pipit. Performs a song flight like that of Meadow Pipit during spring and summer.
Diet
Feeds mainly on invertebrates caught amongst seaweed or along the shoreline.
Breeding
Breeds along rocky shores, sea cliffs and harbours. Rare away from preferred habitat.
Wintering
Generally sedentary, with only local movenments by young birds dispersing to new territories.
Monitored by
Resident and locally common in areas of rocky shoreline.
Migratory in Eastern European range but annual resident in Ireland.
