Paddyfield Pipit - Behaviour and Ecology

Behaviour and Ecology

A wide spread species found in open habitats, especially short grassland and cultivation with open bare ground. It runs rapidly on the ground, and when flushed, does not fly far.

Breeds throughout the year but mainly in the dry season. Birds may have two or more broods in a year. During the breeding season, it sings by repeating the note during its descent from a short fluttery flight, a few feet above the ground. It builds its nest on the ground under a slight prominence, a tuft of grass, or at the edge of a bush. The nests are woven out of grass and leaves and are normally cup shaped. Exposed nests are sometimes domed or semi-domed, the long grass at the back and sides extending over the top.Nests are lined with finer grass or roots and sometimes with a little dry moss, bracken or other material at the base of the nest. The usual clutch is 3-4 eggs with greenish ground color and numerous small brown specks at the larger. When disturbed near the nest, the birds flutter nearby with weak tsip-tsip-tsip calls. Parent birds may also feign injury to distract predators.

It feeds principally on small insects but consumes larger beetles, tiny snails, worms etc. while walking on the ground, and may pursue insects like mosquitoes or termites in the air.

A species of Haemoproteus, H. anthi, has been described from this species.

• in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• Calling at Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon District of Haryana, India.

• Taking off in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• Preening in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• Preening in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• Preening in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• Carrying food for Juveniles in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

• With some disease in the legs in Hyderabad, India.

• at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.

• Cup shaped nest with 3 eggs from Hoskote near Bangalore, India.

• Dome shaped nest from Hoskote near Bangalore, India.