Olive-backed Pipit

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Coastal scrub (autumn vagrant).
Diet: Insects.
Best time to spot: Plain olive back.

When to look

Scarce or local in the UK. Timing varies by region, so check recent sightings before you travel. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Olive-backed Pipit sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Olive-backed Pipit is on the list:

• Isles of Scilly

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Richard's PipitRare · Coastal (autumn vagrant)
• Blyth's PipitEpic · Coastal scrub (very rare)
• Buff-bellied PipitEpic · Coastal grass (vagrant)
• Tawny PipitRare · Open ground (rare vagrant)
• Long-billed PipitLegendary · Open ground (extreme vagrant)
• Pechora PipitEpic · Outer-isle scrub (very rare)

Kit that helps

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