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Motacillidae - Wagtails, Pipits

There are 70 species of birds in this family.  They are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Two species, the white wagtail (Motacilla alba) and the eastern yellow wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis), are found in Alaska.

They are found in a wide variety of habitats, including deserts, marshes, shorelines, tundra, agricultural areas, as well as suburban and urban areas.

They are 5-9 inches in length and have long, slender bodies, thin, pointed bills, and medium to long tails. Pipits are usually streaked or mottled brown. Wagtails are more brightly colored in shades of gray, white, yellow, orange, and green.

Wagtails and pipits are ground dwellers and eat insects, spiders, and some plant matter. Wagtails get their name from the way they wag their tails up and down.

  • The South Georgia pipit is found in the sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    South Georgia Pipit
    (Anthus antarcticus)
    The South Georgia pipit is found in the sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Berthelot's pipit is found in Portugal and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Berthelot's Pipit
    (Anthus berthelotii)
    Berthelot's pipit is found in Portugal and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The tawny pipit is found Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tawny Pipit
    (Anthus campestris)
    The tawny pipit is found Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-throated pipit breeds across northern Europe, northern Asia, and northwestern Alaska. It winters in Africa and southeast Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Throated Pipit
    (Anthus cervinus)
    The red-throated pipit breeds across northern Europe, northern Asia, and northwestern Alaska. It winters in Africa and southeast Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Correndera pipit is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Correndera Pipit
    (Anthus correndera)
    The Correndera pipit is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The short-billed pipit is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Short-Billed Pipit
    (Anthus furcatus)
    The short-billed pipit is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Blyth’s pipit is found in Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blyth's Pipit
    (Anthus godlewskii)
    The Blyth’s pipit is found in Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Pechora pipit is found in Brunei Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, North and South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, and Taiwan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pechora Pipit
    (Anthus gustavi)
    The Pechora pipit is found in Brunei Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, North and South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, and Taiwan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The olive-backed pipit is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, North and South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, the Philippines, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Olive-Backed Pipit
    (Anthus hodgsoni)
    The olive-backed pipit is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, North and South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, the Philippines, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The mountain pipit is found in Lesotho and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Mountain Pipit
    (Anthus hoeschi)
    The mountain pipit is found in Lesotho and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The striped pipit is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Striped Pipit
    (Anthus lineiventris)
    The striped pipit is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellowish pipit is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellowish Pipit
    (Anthus lutescens)
    The yellowish pipit is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Malindi pipit is found in Kenya and Somalia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Malindi Pipit
    (Anthus melindae)
    The Malindi pipit is found in Kenya and Somalia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Nilgiri pipit is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Nilgiri Pipit
    (Anthus nilghiriensis)
    The Nilgiri pipit is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The Australasian pipit is found in Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Australasian Pipit
    (Anthus novaeseelandiae)
    The Australasian pipit is found in Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rock pipit is found in Belgium, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rock Pipit
    (Anthus petrosus)
    The rock pipit is found in Belgium, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The meadow pipit is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Meadow Pipit
    (Anthus pratensis)
    The meadow pipit is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Richard's pipit is found in Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Richard's Pipit
    (Anthus richardi)
    Richard's pipit is found in Asia, and Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The American pipit breeds in Alaska and northern Canada as well as in scattered locations in New England and the Western U.S. The American Pipit breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    American Pipit
    (Anthus rubescens)
    The American pipit breeds in Alaska and northern Canada as well as in scattered locations in New England and the Western U.S. The American Pipit breeds in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The paddyfield pipit is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Paddyfield Pipit
    (Anthus rufulus)
    The paddyfield pipit is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The long-billed pipit is found in Africa and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Long-Billed Pipit
    (Anthus similis)
    The long-billed pipit is found in Africa and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Sokoke pipit is found in Kenya and Tanzania IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Sokoke Pipit
    (Anthus sokokensis)
    The Sokoke pipit is found in Kenya and Tanzania IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The water pipit is found in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Water Pipit
    (Anthus spinoletta)
    The water pipit is found in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The tree pipit breeds across most of Europe and western and central Asia. It winters in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tree Pipit
    (Anthus trivialis)
    The tree pipit breeds across most of Europe and western and central Asia. It winters in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The forest wagtail is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North and South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Forest Wagtail
    (Dendronanthus indicus)
    The forest wagtail is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North and South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rosy-throated longclaw is found in Angola, Botswana, Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rosy-Throated Longclaw
    (Macronyx ameliae)
    The rosy-throated longclaw is found in Angola, Botswana, Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Cape longclaw is found in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cape Longclaw
    (Macronyx capensis)
    The Cape longclaw is found in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-throated longclaw is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Throated Longclaw
    (Macronyx croceus)
    The yellow-throated longclaw is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The African pied wagtail is found in central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    African Pied Wagtail
    (Motacilla aguimp)
    The African pied wagtail is found in central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white wagtail is found across most of Europe and Asia. It is also found in northern Africa. White wagtails are also found in northwestern Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White Wagtail
    (Motacilla alba)
    The white wagtail is found across most of Europe and Asia. It is also found in northern Africa. White wagtails are also found in northwestern Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Cape wagtail is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cape Wagtail
    (Motacilla capensis)
    The Cape wagtail is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The gray wagtail is found in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray Wagtail
    (Motacilla cinerea)
    The gray wagtail is found in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The citrine wagtail is found in eastern Europe and western Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Citrine Wagtail
    (Motacilla citreola)
    The citrine wagtail is found in eastern Europe and western Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western yellow wagtail is found across most of eastern Europe and Asia. It winters in Africa. It is also found in western Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Yellow Wagtail
    (Motacilla flava)
    The western yellow wagtail is found across most of eastern Europe and Asia. It winters in Africa. It is also found in western Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Madagascar wagtail is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Madagascar Wagtail
    (Motacilla flaviventris)
    The Madagascar wagtail is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Japanese wagtail is found in Japan and South Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Japanese Wagtail
    (Motacilla grandis)
    The Japanese wagtail is found in Japan and South Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-browed wagtail is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Browed Wagtail
    (Motacilla maderaspatensis)
    The white-browed wagtail is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The eastern yellow wagtail breeds in Russia, Canada, and Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eastern Yellow Wagtail
    (Motacilla tschutschensis)
    The eastern yellow wagtail breeds in Russia, Canada, and Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

eastern yellow wagtail
The eastern yellow wagtail breeds in Russia, Canada, and SAaska.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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