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Books about Pipits

Pipits

In the UK

Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialis

Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensis

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus

Water Pipit
Anthus spinoletta

Rare UK visitors

Richard's Pipit
Anthus richardi

Blyth's Pipit
Anthus godlewskii

Tawny Pipit
Anthus campestris

Olive-backed Pipit
Anthus hodgsoni

Pechora Pipit
Anthus gustavi

Red-throated Pipit
Anthus cervinus

Buff-bellied Pipit
Anthus rubescens

Other pipits

There are over 40 species of pipits worldwide.

Chamberlains LBJs: The Definitive Guide to Southern Africa's Little Brown Jobs

Faansie Peacock

2012

"Almost a quarter of Southern Africa's bird species, and half of its endemics, are known by birdwatchers as LBJs or Little Brown Jobs. All birders experience some degree of trepidation when confronted by Ornithologicum nightmariensis. Consequently this potentially confusing group of birds is shunned by virtually all beginners and many experienced observers as well. However, LBJs include some of the region's most spectacular, thrilling, interesting, sought-after and memorable birds. In this eagerly anticipated book, four years in the making, talented author and artist Faansie Peacock shares his passion for and knowledge of LBJs. Chamberlain's LBJs will not only help you to confidently identify LBJs in the field, but also to understand and enjoy these remarkable birds."

Southern African LBJ's Made Simple

Doug Newman and Gordon King

2012

"Southern African LBJs made simple is an important new guide to the cryptic little birds that are known as 'little brown jobs' amongst birdwatchers. Using colour coding and careful design, the reader is systematically guided through the initial sorting stages: from family group, to 'visual group' within the family, and finally to the species. Illustrations with pointers show characteristic features of each species, summarised in an 'At a glance' box. Concise text describes visual clues as well as other key ID criteria, such as size, habitat, habits, call and similar-looking and -sounding birds. A distribution map shows range, and each species is linked by track number to its call on the accompanying CD. Identification depends on successfully matching a given number of the bird's features – in some cases, just a single convincing diagnostic trait. Painstakingly conceived and designed, Southern African LBJ's Made Simple will have wide appeal for serious birders and keen amateurs alike – anyone who wants to be able to tell one LBJ from another."

Pipits of Southern Africa: The Complete Guide to Africa's Ultimate LBJ's

Faansie Peacock

2006

"Ask any birder and they will confirm that pipits are arguably the most challenging birds in Africa from an identification perspective. In addition, pipit taxonomy is by no means conclusive-two new species have been described in the last decade! Despite this challenging state of affairs, identification of this group is possible. In Pipits of Southern Africa, emphasis is shifted towards identification methods based largely on posture, feeding strategy, display flights, vocalizations and other non-plumage features. The book stems directly from the author's field notes (instead of from museum collections and ornithological papers alone) and it is immediately apparent that this is a book written by a birder for birders. However, despite the great care that has been taken to ensure that the book is readable and relevant, scientific technicalities are also covered in detail-Pipits of southern Africa should appeal to beginners, advanced birders and ornithologists alike. A vast amount of ink drawings are used to emphasize important points or illustrate complicated concepts, and a multitude of graphs, keys and diagrams to facilitate easy and correct identification are included. All southern African pipit species (including the recently described Kimberley and Long-tailed Pipits), are covered in detail."

Pipits and Wagtails of Europe, Asia and North America

Per Alstrom & Krister Mild

Christopher Helm

2003

Same work as the Princeton edition below

"Wagtails are noted for their bold plumage patterns and extensive racial variation. Pipits are a large and difficult group which invariably causes vexation to birders on both sides of the Atlantic. This guide covers the 26 species of northern hemisphere pipits and wagtails in detail. It treats identification in the field and in the hand, and includes colour plates, detailed distribution maps and sonograms of songs and calls."

Pipits and Wagtails

Per Alstrom & Krister Mild

Princeton University Press

2003

"Pipits and Wagtails is the first comprehensive, one-volume guide to the twenty-six species and all subspecies that occur in the vast swath of Europe, Asia, and North America known as the Holarctic. These birds are a notoriously difficult group to differentiate, and so the authors - the world's two leading authorities in this field - have gone to exhaustive lengths to ensure that no aspect of identification has been omitted. Twenty-six full color plates and some part plates depict all the species and distinct subspecies in different plumages. To help further with identification, the book includes nearly 250 color photographs, numerous line drawings, and color distribution maps for each species. The detailed species accounts cover all aspects of identification: taxonomy, size and structure, plumage, geographical variation, anatomical measurements, molt and aging, sexing, voice, behavior, distribution, and habitat. They also include sonograms of the species' unique songs and calls. Great care has been taken to accurately illustrate and describe plumage differences between all valid subspecies as well as differences relating to sex and aging. Unparalleled in breadth and detail, Pipits and Wagtails is the ultimate reference guide for anyone interested in this group of birds."

British Larks, Pipits and Wagtails

Eric Simms

New Naturalist Series (78)

1992

"The aim of this book is to review the British larks, pipits and wagtails. There are three broad introductory chapters on their emergence and range and on the chief characteristics of the genera. Single chapters are devoted to eleven separate species, while two cover the rarer migrants or vagrants on the British list. The last two chapters deal with the movements of the major species and the author's personal view of the current future status of these birds in Britain. This book is in the classic mould of New Naturalist volumes, giving a comprehensive description of the biology of an important part of Britain's birdlife."

Bird Study, Volume 5, Issue 4

Main articles:

• The Breeding of Woodpigeon Populations - R. K. Murton
• The Breeding of the Meadow Pipit in Swedish Lapland - S. J. J. F. Davies
• The Breeding Distribution of the Great Black-Backed Gull in England and Wales in 1956 - T. A. W. Davis

Bird Study, Volume 3, Issue 2

Main articles:

• The Theory of Line Transects - W. B. Yapp
• Fluctuations of Common Snipe, Jack Snipe and Golden Plover in Tiree, Argyllshire - J. Morton Boyd
• Mortality and Egg Production of the Meadow Pipit with Special Reference to Altitude - J. C. Coulson

Pipits

W.H. Hudson

Educational Series No. 21

Society for the Protection of Birds

1890's

A 4 page guide that covers the Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit and Rock Pipit. Provides a brief description and information on distribution, numbers, food, characteristics, protection, plus two pages of general remarks.

Catalogue Of The Passeriformes or Perching Birds In The Collection Of The British Museum

Catalogue Of The Birds In The British Museum, Volume X

R. Bowdler Sharpe

Printed By Order Of The Trustees

Printed by Taylor & Francis

1885

From the introduction:

"In the present volume 448 species are described, represented by 4590 specimens. Of these the Museum contains the types of 88, and 52 species are still desiderata to the collection. The series of Neotropical birds has been rendered wonderfully complete by the addition of the collections of Dr. Sclater and of Messrs. Salvin and Godman; whilst through the hearty co-operation of Professor Baird, on behalf of the United-States National Museum, numerous valuable North- American birds have been received during the past year. The collection of the Old-World species of the families described in the present volume is also tolerably perfect; and many of the migratory species are represented by series of specimens illustrating their geographical distribution in a full and satisfactory manner. Much remains to be done to complete our knowledge of the changes of plumage of the Wagtails and Pipits. In my study of the latter birds I have not relied solely on the series in the British Museum, but I have likewise examined the collections of Canon Tristram, Capt. Wardlaw-Eamsay, Capt. Shelley, Mr. Seebohm, and Mr. F. Nicholson, to each of whom I return my thanks."