Berthelot's Pipit Anthus berthelotii Scientific name definitions

14 cm; 16–19 g. Has long white supercilium, unstreaked pale lores and cheeks, dark brownish-grey moustachial and malar stripes; crown and upperparts ashy brown, black streaks on head , dark brown streaks on mantle and back, plain lower back and rump, uppertail-coverts warmer brown with slight streaking; primaries, secondaries and primary coverts dark brown with narrow white edges, tertials and greater wing-coverts paler with broad sandy-buff edges and tips, median coverts blackish-centred with broad buff-white tips (forming wingbar), lesser coverts sandy brown; tail blackish-brown, T5 with outer web and much of distal inner web white, T6 white; whitish below , breast tinged pink or buff and streaked dark grey-brown, flanks and undertail-coverts usually thinly streaked dark; colour of underparts varies according to soil type (plumage becomes earth-stained); iris dark brown; upper mandible grey, lower mandible pale pink; legs pale pink or yellowish-pink. Sexes alike. Juvenile has broader and clearer streaks above , pale feathers edgings giving scalloped appearance, back, rump and uppertail-coverts more rufous, greater contrast on wings, more spotted than streaked below. Race <em>madeirensis</em> has longer and stouter bill than nominate.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Occurs in all habitats except thick woodland and moister parts, from sea-level to over 2000 m. In E Canaries, prefers dry, sparsely vegetated semi-desert areas of volcanic rock and other open places, such as tracks; occurs on rock-strewn hillsides on more mountainous W islands. In Madeira, most frequent in high serras but occurs also on cliffs and in fields near sea.

Resident; no evidence of seasonal altitudinal movements.

Food mainly insects, such as grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera) and caterpillars (Lepidoptera), also other arthropods, and seeds. Stomachs contained small ants (Hymenoptera), spiders (Araneae), flies (Diptera), lepidopteran pupae, and weed seeds; others were full of large plant seeds. Forages on the ground , pecking among grass or stones, or rushing forward to pick active prey, or occasionally making brief aerial sally. Has habit of running along ground, rarely flying far, and standing upright.

Song  , from elevated perch or in flight, pleasant and cheerful series of “tschrli”, “truit”, “tsliu” or “tsiree”, notes separated by pauses of 1–2 seconds. Main calls “zichéé” or “sliréé” when flushed, also low hoarse “tiuee”, “chiriree”, “tschir”, “tchik”, “sleeoo” and similar; “tsrl” contact call at nest. All vocalizations similar to those of A. campestris.

Late Jan–Aug, starting later at higher altitudes; probably double-brooded. In song flight, rises to 30 m or more, flies with deep undulations in irregular circles, drops steeply or in angled glide. Nest a cup of dry grass and roots, occasional feather incorporated, lined with hair, wool and/or feathers, built in shelter of small bush or stone. Clutch 2–5 eggs , mainly 3–4; incubation and fledging periods not documented.

Not globally threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Madeira and the Canary Islands EBA. Common in suitable habitat, where one of the most numerous bird species in its range. Canaries population comprises 15,000–20,000 individuals; Madeiran race estimated at c. 500–1000 breeding pairs. Population considered stable. No known threats at present, but any future large-scale developments may impinge on its habitats.