Photo: കൈപ്പള്ളി at Malayalam Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Nilgiri Pipit
Anthus nilghiriensis
Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) is a member of the Motacillidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 31 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Motacillidae Wagtails, Pipits
- Genus Anthus
- Species nilghiriensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 31 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Nilgiri Pipit is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Nilgiri Pipit is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) belongs to the Motacillidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR sw India.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 31 g, with a wing length of about 7.5 cm and a tail of around 6.9 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 12,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Nilgiri Pipit?
The Nilgiri Pipit is a small bird that weighs around 31 g.
Where does the Nilgiri Pipit live?
The Nilgiri Pipit is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR sw India, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Nilgiri Pipit belong to?
The Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) belongs to the Motacillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Nilgiri Pipit eat?
The Nilgiri Pipit is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Nilgiri Pipit migrate?
The Nilgiri Pipit is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Nilgiri Pipit endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Nilgiri Pipit make?
1 real field recording of the Nilgiri Pipit — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Nilgiri Pipit's range?
The Nilgiri Pipit has a mapped global range of about 12,000 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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