Rock Pipit

Strictly confined to coastal areas, never occurring more than a few hundred metres away from the sea, the Rock Pipit is nevertheless a common and successful species in Ireland, resident in all coastal counties. Its plumage blends in well with the colour of the tideline rocks which it frequents, and this, coupled with its reluctance to fly away when people approach, means that it is often overlooked,

Strictly confined to coastal areas, never occurring more than a few hundred metres away from the sea, the Rock Pipit is nevertheless a common and successful species in Ireland, resident in all coastal counties. Its plumage blends in well with the colour of the tideline rocks which it frequents, and this, coupled with its reluctance to fly away when people approach, means that it is often overlooked.More drab and grey overall than its more familiar relative, the Meadow Pipit, the Rock Pipit somewhat resembles a small thrush, just 16cm in length.

The back and wings are greyish-brown, flecked with dark markings, and the head is similar, save for a thin, pale stripe over each eye, which can sometimes appear fairly indistinct. The breast and belly are greyish-white, marked prominently with dark streaking, and the legs appear dark brown or blackish, an easy way to distinguish it from the pale-legged Meadow Pipit. The tail is proportionately rather long, giving it the overall shape of a wagtail; indeed, the pipits and the wagtails are very closely related.

The Rock Pipit feeds mainly on flies, beetles and tiny crustaceans that it finds in rock crevices and seaweed. Though only found at the coast, it is by no means an aquatic bird, and never goes into the water. It also shuns sandy beaches. One of its main claims to fame is that it is one of surprisingly few bird species that breeds nowhere but Europe, with nesting confined entirely to the coasts of Ireland, Britain, France and Scandinavia; in fact, there is no other breeding bird restricted completely to north-western Europe.

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