It breeds in North America, west Greenland, east of Lake Baikal, and in the Russian Far East and winters in southeastern China, the southern United States, and Mexico. It is a frequent passage migrant...
It breeds in North America, west Greenland, east of Lake Baikal, and in the Russian Far East and winters in southeastern China, the southern United States, and Mexico. It is a frequent passage migrant and winter visitor to Korea. It is classified into three subspecies. The subspecies observed in Korea is A.r.japonicus, which is extant in northern China, the Russian Far East, and the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Behavior
In the breeding season, it nests in subalpine and alpine areas where rocks are scattered and moves to lower elevations in winter. While moving its tail up and down it walks on fallow land, grassland, coastal shores, and streams feeding on insects and plant seeds. Often moves in small groups to find food.
Characteristic
The back of head is grayish brown with relatively undefined blackish brown stripes. The supercilium is also indistinct. The underside is pale pink with dark brown stripes on the chest and sides, which are darker in autumn and winter and thin in spring.
Adult winter plumage
The head and ear tufts are olive brown with indistinct stripes. The underside of the body is mostly white (though some individuals have relatively distinct tans on the sides, sides, and belly) with black stripes that are more pronounced and darker than summer plumage. The edges of large wing covert, middle wing covert and third wing covert are lightly stained white. The eyebrow line is light brown and runs short behind the eyes. Legs are slightly dark. The waist is the same color as the back but not striped.
Similar species
Meadow Pipit : Mainly brown above and buff below, with darker streaking on most of its plumage; the tail is brown, with narrow white side edges. The hind claw is notably long and straight, longer than the rest of the hind toe.
