PIPIT

also called Fieldlark, or Titlark, any of about 50 species of small, slender-bodied ground birds of the family Motacillidae (order Passeriformes, suborder Passeres [songbirds]), especially the genus Anthus, found worldwide except in polar regions and on some islands. Members range in size from 12.5 to 23 cm (5 to 9 inches) long. They have thin, pointed bills, pointed wings, and elongated hindtoes and claws. These trim birds walk and run rapidly (but never hop), seeking out insects along the ground. Their flight is strongly undulating, like that of many finches. The pipits proper (Anthus), so called because of their twittering sounds, are brownish streaked. Wagtails (Motacilla), which continually pump their long tails up and down, are more boldly marked. Both groups have white outer tail feathers, which show best in flight. An unusual group, called longclaws (Macronyx), are found on African prairies.