Bird Description

A common Arctic rocky tundra breeder. Formely called Water Pipit, Buff-bellied Pipit in Europe. In winter, forms flocks on bare earth or short grass farmland and in wet muddy areas. Walks and sometimes runs around feeding actively and will freeze when disturbed. Head jerks backward and forward as it moves. Pumps tail up and down when standing. Will 'up and away' considerable distances for no apparent reason. ID: Highly variable. A slim pipit with fairly long tail; pale-based narrow bill. All plumages have bold eyering, supercilium, and malar with uniform ear coverts but no eyestripe. Upperparts pale gray-brown with diffuse streaks. Leg color variable, most black but some red or pink. Ad br: underparts buff or orange-buff with streaking across breast and lightly down flanks. Nonbr: paler underparts, usually buff but some very pale with extensive bold streaking.