Tree Pipit

A summer visitor to Europe that arrives from Africa in late April. It prefers woodland edges, clearings, and heaths with scattered trees. It is more robust and colorful than the Meadow Pipit. It has a stronger buff wash on the breast and bolder black streaks. It is a common inhabitant of transition zones between forests and open land.

The Tree Pipit is famous for its magnificent song-flight. This flight always begins and ends in a tree. The male launches from a high branch, circles upward while singing, and glides back down. He ends with a series of musical 'see-er, see-er' notes. He forages on the ground but retreats to the trees when disturbed.