American Pipit

American Pipit is mostly a winter visitor to Sonoma County. Pipits usually begin to show up here in late September and most stay no later than mid-April of the following year, with a few lingering into early May. Generally not present in June, July, and August. Typically seen in open fields and flat grassy areas, but also along the edges of ponds and lakes or at the coast. Often solitary, but may form small to medium-sized flocks (about 5-40 birds). Perhaps most reliably seen at Ellis Creek Water Treatment Facility and Shollenberger Park, but common in appropriate habitat throughout the county during the winter months. Commonly detected by voice as they fly overhead, saying pipipit. Tends to bob its proportionately short tail incessantly as it forages. The species name refers to the rufous tint the bird acquires in breeding plumage.

We mostly see Pipits in non-breeding plumage, as in the photos above and below. A suggestion of pale wing bars and a somewhat striped look to the folded wings is typical, but, overall, the bird is a drab, greyish brown on the upper parts and lighter below with fine streaking on the breast, which is washed with a yellowish buff color. The pale eyebrow and pale line along the bottom of the cheek are fairly distinctive. The lower line contrasts with a broad, dark malar stripe just under it. Palest right under the chin. Breast streaking tends to concentrate under this lighter area, merging with the dark malar stripe. Dark tail with white outer tail feathers visible in flight. Dark eye and bill, but the base of the bill is often paler and yellowish. Leg color variable. Suggests a large, slender sparrow, but with a sharp bill unlike the typical sparrow bill. Subspecies A. r. japonicus, with more pronounced streaking is an occasional winter stray in our area.