In this guide, we step through the key features to look for so you can identify Rock Pipits (Anthus petrosus) and Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis) confidently. The Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) features often overlap with those of the Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis). This means you need to consider several features in the field before deciding. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons that there are difficulties forming a positive ID. Some field guides aren’t that helpful. They make the Rock Pipit sound like some form of ugly duckling with an outsized bill and murky plumage. These statements don’t do the bird any justice. They are inaccurate, especially when you see the birds at close range.
Family: Motacillidae
Rock Pipits & Meadow Pipits Habitat
A strong indication of which bird you are looking at is habitat. Rock pipits are never far from the edge of the water. Generally, this is coastal, but also inland lochs. They spend their time searching through weeds and algae for food. Meadow Pipits, on the other hand, spend their time inland. However, care is needed as Meadow Pipits will travel to coastal areas, particularly towards the end of the year when food becomes more scarce in their natural habitat.
Key Distinguishing Feature
The most definitive distinguishing feature can also be the hardest to spot. If you catch a glimpse of one of the hind claws, the Rock Pipit claw is roughly equal to the length of the hind toe. Whereas, the Meadow Pipit claw is significantly longer than the hind toe.
Other Distinguishing Features
The other features we are about to examine should be treated additively, because, as we alluded, the Rock Pipit features sometimes overlap.
Temperature
Both bird species share similar brown coloration. However, the Meadow Pipit has an overall warmer tone to its feathers, whereas the Rock Pipit almost looks as though its feathers are covered in a layer of dust, giving it an overall cooler color cast.
Back & Crown Markings
The Meadow Pipit has bold stripes on both its crown and running down its back and wing feathers. Whereas, the Rock Pipit from a distance can look like it has no stripes at all, though on closer inspection, they are present, just generally not as distinctive as on the Meadow Pipit.
Rock Pipits & Meadow Pipits Bib
Both birds have a bib. On the Rock Pipit, the bib tends to look more isolated, as it’s surrounded by darker brown feathers on its chest.
Eye Ring
Both birds have a distinctive cream-colored eye ring. There is a tendency for the Rock Pipit to be broken at each corner, whereas on the Meadow Pipit, the ring completely encircles the eye.
Eye Size
Considering now the proportions between the size of the head and the size of the eye.
The Meadow Pipit’s eyes often appear larger and more doughy-eyed than the Rock Pipit’s eyes, which often appear smaller, giving the bird a more piercing look.
Bill Size
The Bill of the Meadow Pipit is typically shorter and appears slightly turned up, versus the Rock Pipit’s bill, which is longer and more pointed, similar to that of a European Robin bill.
Rock Pipits & Meadow Pipits Vocalization
The Rock Pipit’s voice is a little stronger than the Meadow Pipit, and they tend to utter a single or sometimes double note.
Rock Pipit call:
Stanislas Wroza xeno-canto.org
The Meadow Pipit’s voice sounds more timid and tends to utter a quick succession of repeated notes.
Meadow Pipit call:
Jorge Leitão xeno-canto.org
