Tree Pipits were called in some of the older bird books
Meadow Larks or Short-heeled Larks. The later name because of
it having a shorter hind claw than other
pipits
It closely resembles the Meadow Pipit, but can be
identified by the experienced fancier by the Meadow Pipit having a
much longer hind claw, 10-13mm, the Tree Pipits are a lot shorter
7-9mm.
The Tree Pipit can be a little shy, but is far more
confident and calmer than the Meadow Pipit. Tree Pipits are the slightly larger of the two and also
appear to have a more fuller shape, the gait of the tree is a more
noticeable as it seems to crouch down where as the meadow seems to
hold its body in a upwardly position. All these differences
are more noticed when both species are able to be viewed
together.
A pair of mine nested in a smallish flight, 6ft x6ft x 3ft,
with just a small conifer at ground level in the corner of the
aviary. The first signs i had noticed were when the soil had been
scraped out to reveal a small depression into the earth, this was
soon to be lined with small plant roots and animal
hair.
Whilst sitting the hen sat very tight and could be
approached within a few inches. The incubation lasts for around 13
days. The eggs of pipits are some of the prettiest of our native
birds. They can even vary in the same clutch. Some are a dark
chocolate colour others a mottled grey
If you are successful and chicks hatch they will need
plenty of live food, for the first few days they will want small
insects like mini mealworms, buffalo worms, fruit flies and
crickets.
The chicks grow at an alarming rate and are able to leave
the nest from as early as 10 days if disturbed, but normally about
13 days. The parents will feed the youngsters for about 7 to 10 days
after fledging Tree Pipits can have 2 -3 broods during a
season.
A good large steady
Tree Pipit is a pleasure to see on the show bench and should do
well for the fancier
The cage can be
decorated with various mosses and heather with a nice log or branch
will enable a bird to show itself.
If you are able to
show a pair and they are both in good condition this will enhance
your success on the show stage, as a good pair should gain that
little bit extra and win over a single
specimen!
