Berthelot's Pipit
Anthus berthelotii
Restricted to the Canary Islands and Madeira. An oddly-proportioned pipit with a short tail making it look front heavy. Pale overall with a streaky breast, white belly, and a conspicuous white eyebrow. The wings coverts have prominent dark centers. Generally found foraging on the ground, in open dry areas with low vegetation. The call is a short series of “tchri” notes.
Identification
Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii, English: ber-tə-LOH, French: [bɛʁtəlo]) is a small passerine bird which breeds in Madeira and the Canary Islands. It is a common resident in both archipelagos. Berthelot's pipit is found in open country. The nest is on the ground, with 3-5 eggs being laid. This is a small pipit, 13–14 centimetres (5.1–5.5 in) in length. It is an undistinguished looking species on the ground, mainly grey above and whitish below, with some breast streaking. It has a whitish supercilium and eyering, with dark eye and moustachial stripes. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are browner than adults. This species appears shorter tailed and larger headed than meadow pipit. Its call is a "schrip" like yellow wagtail, and the song, given in flight, is a chattery "tsivrr tsivrr tsivrr tsivrr". This species is named after the French naturalist Sabin Berthelot, one-time resident of the Canary Islands, by Carl Bolle.
Taxonomy
Genus: Anthus; Family: Motacillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Anthus berthelotii
- Authority
- Bolle, 1862
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Paroaria nigrogenis
Unmistakable tricolored bird, with bold red, black, and white patches. Red hood and throat, black mask, mostly black back and tail, and white underparts. Sexes similar. Often found in groups of juveniles and adults near water in riverine forests, scrub, and savanna, mostly in lowlands. Song a clear “FEEup-feep! Fueet-feeut! Fueet-feep feep.” Formerly considered conspecific with the very similar Red-capped Cardinal, but no range overlap.
Black-throated Hermit
Phaethornis atrimentalis
Small hummingbird with a long white-tipped tail. Its rufous underparts, green back, and striped face are features typical of many hermits, but the dark throat and white vent help separate it from other similar species. Inhabits rainforest understory in lowlands east of the Andes and in adjacent foothills. It is difficult to see well as it zips between flowers in the gloom. Sometimes gives a high-pitched, squeaky song from a low perch.
Rock Pratincole
Glareola nuchalis
Small, dark, short-legged pratincole. In flight, shows a white rump and white stripes under the wings. Found mainly on rocks in fast-flowing rivers. Locally will also use sandbars in rivers and rocky islands in lakes. The call is a high-pitched and quickly repeated “kek.” Separated from other pratincoles by its combination of small size, dark coloration, and stripes under the wings.
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