American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) M, B

RANGE: Breeds on the Arctic tundra and in the mountains of the West and in Maine. Winters on the Pacific Coast from British Columbia south, and from the southern United States south through Mexico into Central America.

STATUS: Common

HABITAT: Ground dweller, found in open fields while searching for insects

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Alpine or arctic tundra with some rough features. Strongest nesting habitat association in sub alpine grassland and alpine rock- and snowfields with widely scattered shrubs.

NEST: Builds nest on the ground in the shelter of a rock or bank, beside a mossy hummock, or at the base of a tussock.

FOOD: Forages while walking, gleaning food from the ground and low vegetation. Eats seeds of grasses and weeds, insects, spiders, mites, small mollusks, and crustaceans.

REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Forbush and May 1955, Gibb 1956, Miller 1999, Shunk 2004, Sutton and Parmalee 1954a, Terres 1980, Verbeek 1970.