Water pipit

About

The Water pipit is a bird of the high mountains. In Ukraine, it nests only in the Carpathians, where it prefers alpine meadows and polonynas in the zone of crooked forests, mainly in wet places and on slopes. Overall, in Europe, it nests at altitudes of approximately 600 to 3200 m, most often at 1400–2500 m. In Poland, it lives in the highest parts of the Tatra and Bieszczady.

The bird is about 17 cm long and weighs 19–27 g, making it difficult to spot among the grass and stones. In spring, its upper parts are gray with an olive tint, there is a white 'brow' above the eye, and the breast is whitish with a pinkish-buff wash and almost without spots. The outer tail feathers are white, which is noticeable when the bird takes off.

The Water pipit is easiest to notice when the male sings. It ascends 10–30 m, describes an arc, and glides down smoothly while continuously singing a song made up of several short repeated phrases. The call is a quiet short 'zit' or 'zes'. The pipit is quite cautious and will fly far away if approached.

The Water pipit builds its nest on steep slopes, in a depression well hidden by vegetation. It lays eggs in April–May, with a clutch of 4–5 eggs, which the female incubates for 15–16 days. Therefore, in spring, it is advisable to stay on the trails in the polonynas. In Ukraine, the Water pipit is a nesting, migratory, and occasionally wintering species; in winter, the birds mostly descend to lower altitudes. It is not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Poland · Slovakia · Romania · Ukraine · Czechia · Hungary · Serbia · Austria · BG

Mountain ranges

Western Tatras, High Tatras, Făgăraș Mountains, Bieszczady, Chornohora, Low Tatras, Babia Góra, Gorgany, Bucegi Mountains, Maramureș Mountains

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m) · Conifer forests (1200–1600 m) · Subalpine belt (1600–1900 m) · Alpine belt (above 1900 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

It is not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ