An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family MOTACILLIDAE: Wagtails & Pipits

FIELD MARKS There are five species of wagtails and pipits in British Columbia; most are rare or accidental. These birds tend to be brown-coloured with streaks for camouflage and have long tails. Most songbirds sing while they are sitting on a perch. Wagtails and pipits live in open areas where there aren't many suitable perches. For this reason, they have developed the ability to sing while flying. FOOD Wagtails and pipits mainly eat insects and seeds. They may also eat berries, spiders, earthworms and snails. They forage while walking or running along the ground with their tails bobbing up and down. HABITAT Wagtails and pipits have adapted to life on the ground in open country. Many are long-distance migrants. NESTING Their nests are usually well hidden on the ground, under a clump of grass or in a rocky crevice. The nest is a cup-shaped collection of weeds and grass. Only the female pipit incubates the eggs. American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)