Photo: Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)
European Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) is a member of the Motacillidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 22.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Motacillidae Wagtails, Pipits
- Genus Anthus
- Species petrosus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 22.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The European Rock Pipit is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The European Rock Pipit is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) belongs to the Motacillidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL w coasts.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 22.4 g, with a wing length of about 8.8 cm and a tail of around 6.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 293,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the European Rock Pipit?
The European Rock Pipit is a small bird that weighs around 22.4 g.
Where does the European Rock Pipit live?
The European Rock Pipit is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL w coasts, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the European Rock Pipit belong to?
The European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) belongs to the Motacillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the European Rock Pipit eat?
The European Rock Pipit is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the European Rock Pipit migrate?
The European Rock Pipit is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the European Rock Pipit endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the European Rock Pipit make?
1 real field recording of the European Rock Pipit — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the European Rock Pipit's range?
The European Rock Pipit has a mapped global range of about 293,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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