The Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, is a small passerine bird. It is migratory over most of its range, wintering in southern Europe, North Africa, and south-western Asia. I came across several of these birds as they were feeding on scrubland alongside the rio Chillar walkway in Nerja.
Description
This is an often abundant small pipit, although I haven’t seen that many, measuring 14.5–15 cm (5+1⁄2–6 in) in length. It is mainly brown above and buff below, with darker barring on most of its plumage. The tail is brown, with narrow white lateral edges. It has a thin bill, pale pinkish yellow legs and the distinctive rear claw is very long, much longer than the rest of the rear toes.
Habitat
It is primarily found in open habitats, such as grassland, moorland, and heathland, but can also be seen in small numbers on arable land. It always feeds on the ground, but uses elevated perches such as vantage points to watch for predators, the main ones being Merlins and Hen Harriers.
Breeding
Nests are built on the ground in dense vegetation, the female generally laying three to five eggs. The eggs hatch after 11–15 days, with the chicks fledging 10–14 days after hatching. Two broods are usually raised each year. Meadow Pipits are, apparently, one of the most important nest hosts of the cuckoo.
Diet
Diet consists mainly of small insects and other invertebrates, but it also eats the seeds of grasses, sedges, rushes and heather amongst others.