Paddyfield Pipit

Black Mountain, Thailand

The paddyfield pipit is a resident in in southern Asia eastward as far as the Philippines. This bird in the picture was photographed on a golf course near Hua Hin collecting nesting material.

Habitat

The paddyfield pipit is found in open habitats and prefers short grassland, open scrub and cultivation with plenty of open bare ground. It runs rapidly on the ground, and when flushed, does not fly far.

Feeding

The paddyfield pipit feeds mainly on smal groundl insects but willl also hunt larger beetles, small snails and worms and will also take mosquitoes and termites on the wing.

Breeding

Breeding throughout the year, the paddyfield pipit is one of the few pipits that are non migratory and nest in the region. During the breeding season, it sings by repeating a note during its descent from a short fluttery flight, a few feet above the ground. It builds its nest on the ground close to cover. The nests are woven out of grass and leaves and are usually cup-shaped. Exposed nests are sometimes domed or semi-domed. Nests are lined with finer grass or roots and sometimes with a little dry moss, bracken or other material. Three to seven greenish eggs with brown speckles are incubated by the female although the male brings the female food while they are on the nest. Parents share chick rearing.

Wildfile Special

• When the nest is threatened, the adults flutter and give a weak  tsip-tsip-tsip call. Parent birds may also feign injury to draw away predators.