North American field guide

Red-Throated Pipit

Anthus cervinus

Identification

Field notes

14 cm (5-6") Rare. Asian bird but breeds in western Alaska. Tundra.

Rusty red face and breast, fainter in females and immatures. Straw colored legs.

Immature: heavily striped and may resemble Pechora Pipits.

Song: a high "seep" given in flight.

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Red-Throated Pipit

2 rules
Rule 1 15 criteria confidence 2
What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour were the WINGS ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
Light outer edge or corners · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?
Yes · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?
Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Short · Medium · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Light area between the bill and the eye · Light area running up the side of the neck or head · Sideburn stripe running down beneath the eye · Dark area behind, under, through or around the eye · Crest of feathers on top of the head · Ear "tufts" or horns · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Warbler-like · Sparrow-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Northwestern Canada or United States
result:748-red-throated-pipit:1:1 Source: 748 Red-Throated Pipit, row 1
Rule 2 16 criteria confidence 1
What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour were the WINGS ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
Light outer edge or corners · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?
Yes · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?
Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Short · Medium · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Light area between the bill and the eye · Light area running up the side of the neck or head · Sideburn stripe running down beneath the eye · Dark area behind, under, through or around the eye · Crest of feathers on top of the head · Ear "tufts" or horns · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Warbler-like · Sparrow-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southwestern United States
result:748-red-throated-pipit:2:1 Source: 748 Red-Throated Pipit, row 2