Nilgiri Pipit

Appearance

The Nilgiri Pipit is about 12.6–14 centimetres long and is richly coloured, has dark lores, a buff supercilium and throat. It lacks any malar stripes. The flanks, breast and sides of neck are brighter buff and that bill is completely dark. The crown is heavily streaked in black as are the upperparts. The outer tail feathers are also buff coloured and there is no white in the plumage. The streaking on the breast is fine and it extends along the flanks.

The first four primaries of the wing are almost equal and the fifth is about 1–2 mm shorter. The primaries from the second to the fifth are emarginate. The tail feathers are pointed and the second outer feather has a tapering triangle along the shaft and the third with a small triangle at the tip. Abnormal albino individuals have been reported.

Distribution

The Nilgiri Pipit is closely associated with short montane grasslands interspersed with marshy grounds and small streams mostly in hill slopes above 1,000 metres in the Ponmudi hills and above 1,500 metres in the Nilgiris, Palni and High Ranges. They are also found in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

Status

The world population is estimated to be about 4000 birds based on a density estimate of about 0.1 birds per hectare in suitable habitat. The grassland habitat is threatened by wattle plantations and the colonization of grasslands by species such as broom in the Nilgiris and by fire.

Behavior

Nilgiri Pipits are found singly or in pairs. When disturbed they usually fly into a low bush or tree. They breed in summer from April to July. The nest is a cup of grass in short grass. The clutch consists of two to three grey brown speckled eggs. They feed on grass seeds and insects with invertebrates becoming more important during the breeding season.

Habitat

The Nilgiri Pipit is closely associated with short montane grasslands interspersed with marshy grounds and small streams mostly in hill slopes above 1,000 metres in the Ponmudi hills and above 1,500 metres in the Nilgiris, Palni and High Ranges. They are also found in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.