Separating species: The Meadow and Tree pipit

By Gavin Woodbridge

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) & Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) 

These two grass and woodland dwelling species are common UK birds. Meadow Pipits are present all year round, though in fewer numbers during winter months typically; and breeding very commonly in long grassy meadows and countryside. Tree Pipits are a summer visitor (April-September) and tend to frequent woodlands and more rural countryside settings to breed and are seen less commonly. Both species can be seen overhead in visible migration ‘vis-mig’ or grounded at particularly coastal locations during Spring and Autumn migration periods.  

Below I have highlighted key features that are useful in separating the two in the field. They can be a tricky species group to work with, often flying high, or foraging in the distance on grass disappearing for periods. Tuning into their calls is very utile in alerting their overhead presence and separating them reliably without the need for excellent views. As ever, this is not a complete description of these species as you will find in any good field guide or bird book, but a point towards key features to help you in the field. 

Size, shape and structure 

There are few separating characteristics when it comes to size and structure. Both are average-sized songbirds, and overall, fairly compact with fine longish bills (roughly equal to head-length). They can appear quite elongated as they feed along the ground. Both are a touch smaller than the closely related bolder and darker Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) found on coastlines, all year round. It is worth noting that both species can show a remarkable degree of individual variation and the effect of wear. Late summer, adults may appear bleached, sullied and grey after a season of raising their chicks (when fledged are bright and fresh), before starting their post-breeding moult. 

Key Features 

Overall Meadow Pipit tends to be an olive green-brown colour above, with warm buff wash on face and flanks, bold dark streaking on the breast. Wings follow the mantle (back colour) and are punctuated with pale white wing-bars. Tree Pipit are often a warmer straw-brown colour above, cream white underneath with neat streaking on the breast. Both have white outer-tail feathers.  

Tree pipit. Note the heavy set pink bill and fine "pencil" markings on the flank. Photo by Sorrel Lyall.

Head markings are a good separator with Meadow being rather non-descript, ground green-brown colour on the head with unremarkable face markings. Tree Pipit on the other hand have a short pale supercilium (eyebrow), and pale throat made obvious by dark sub-moustachial stripes. Both have darker tips to their bills, but the meadow have a pale yellowish tinge to the base while Tree have a pale pink-base. 

Meadow tends to have buff flanks and underparts and streaking as bold as breast. Tree has cream white underparts and compared to the breast, obviously finer neat flank streaking, as if drawn on by a  sharp pencil. 

Meadow pipit. Note the slender bill with an orange base and the very long hind claw. Photo by Gavin Woodbridge.

Legs are variable in the field in Meadow Pipit varying from pale to fairly bright orange/yellow. Tree on the other hand, have pale sometimes fleshy pink legs. A diagnostic feature if seen perched on a  wire or fenceline is the hind claw length. It takes time to get your eye in but Meadow Pipit have obviously long, dark hind-claws while Tree Pipit have short curved, pale hind-claws.  

Meadow Pipit fledgling. Note the orange legs and bill. The streakings on the flank are also broader than the Tree pipits. Photo by Mark Pitt.

Voice 

The song of Meadow Pipit is a descending scale of short notes, ‘Sweeee-sweee-sweee-swees-sweep sweep’ and will perform a parachute dive from height whilst singing. Tree Pipit have a more variable speed, harsher but similar, ‘psweep-psweep-spwee-sweee’. 

Tree pipit singing. Tree pipits have a much more melodious song than the meadow pipit. Footage by Mark Pitt.

Call is diagnostic. Meadow have a high-pitched sharp ‘sweep’ often repeating the note call while Tree  have a more raspy ‘psszzzt’ when flying overhead. Worth listening to online (Xeno canto is a good website for birdcalls) to get a feel for them. Note too, a ‘Pi-pit’ alarm call.

Meadow pipit song recording. Meadow pipit songs consist of a descending scale of short notes.

Jizz 

They are both very similar in behaviour, though Tree tends to have a sweeter call and feel around them in the field, perhaps because they are seen less commonly. Do not be fooled by the habitat you find them in. While Meadow Pipit typically frequent grassland, this is not exclusive and you may find them perch on shrubbery and vice versa for Tree Pipit while they typically frequent trees and woodland,  you may find them often down on the grass. 

If you would like more practice in separating these two species, consider watching this great ID guide by the BTO.

Bonus Pipit! Anthus hodgsoni - below in-the-hand late September.  This rare pipit from the east can be separated from the former two by its distinct short-white  supercilium, white above and dark below cheek spot, neat pale pink base to bill, plain olive-back and uppertail, bold breast and flank streaks and obvious fleshy pink legs. If you think you may have one of these, contact the committee!

Olive-backed pipit. A very rare species with a dark cheek spot and plain olive back. Photo by Gavin Woodbridge.

This piece was written by our outreach officer, Gavin Woodbridge (pronouns he/him), who is a final year medic at Edinburgh.

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