PipitPīhoihoi

Conservation status
In some trouble

New Zealand pipits are slender, small to medium-sized, long-tailed songbirds that are common in rough open habitats from the coastline to alpine shrublands. They walk or run, characteristically flicking their tail up and down whenever they stop walking, or when perched. Pipits are friendly and don't mind people getting close compared to most open country songbirds. The are omnivores, eating grain, seeds and small bugs. 

Campaign Manager

Steve & Shelley - The Breeze

Steve & Shelley - The Breeze

Steve and Shelley are the #1 breakfast hosts on Wellington's Breeze broadcasting throughout the Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, Kāpiti & Horowhenua regions. Steve & Shelley feel a kinship with the pīhoihoi/pipit. More than any other, they can relate to this poor, endangered native bird.

Like the pipit, very few people have heard of them. Like the pipit, they are plain and unremarkable – they have no special song, or bright plumage. And when they heard that the pipit was declining – well, who isn't? If you, too, can relate to an average bird, just doing it's best to be heard, and struggling to avoid decline, vote for the pīhoihoi/pipit.

Pipit

Credit: Glenda Rees