Plain-backed Pipit
Plain-backed PipitPlain-backed PipitPlain-backed PipitPlain-backed Pipit

Plain-backed Pipit

Anthus leucophrys

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Insufficient data
overall probability at Arusha National Park
4 Verified records at Arusha National Park
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The plain-backed pipit or plain pipit (Anthus leucophrys) is a medium-sized passerine bird which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is found in open habitats, especially short grassland and cultivation. It builds its cup-shaped nest on the ground and usually lays three eggs. Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous. The plain-backed pipit is a large pipit at 17 cm, but is otherwise an undistinguished looking species, faintly streaked grey-brown above and pale below with light breast streaking. It has a strong white supercilium, and dark moustachial stripes. Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Arusha National Park

Grassveld Pipit
LC

Grassveld Pipit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthus cinnamomeus

10–20% · With luck
Long-billed Pipit
LC

Long-billed Pipit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthus similis

10–20% · With luck
Tree Pipit
LC

Tree Pipit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthus trivialis

Insufficient data
Bush Pipit
LC

Bush Pipit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anthus caffer

Insufficient data
African Pied Wagtail
LC

African Pied Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla aguimp

20–30% · Possible
Mountain Wagtail
LC

Mountain Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla clara

20–30% · Possible
Pangani Longclaw
LC

Pangani Longclaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Macronyx aurantiigula

10–20% · With luck
Grey Wagtail
LC Endemic

Grey Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla cinerea

<5% · Rare
Yellow-throated Longclaw
LC

Yellow-throated Longclaw

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Macronyx croceus

<5% · Rare
White Wagtail
LC

White Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla alba

<5% · Rare
Western Yellow Wagtail
LC

Western Yellow Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla flava

Insufficient data
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Very likely

📅 Monthly Probability

📊

Fewer than 5 records of Plain-backed Pipit at Arusha National Park — not enough to chart months honestly.

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
30–40%
2 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
20–30%
3 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
20–30%
4 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
20–30%
5 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
20–30%
6 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
20–30%
7 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
10–20%
8 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
10–20%
9 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
10–20%
10 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
5–10%
11 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
12 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
13 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
<5%
14 Table Mountain National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
15 Garden Route National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
16 Semuliki National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
17 Nyungwe National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
<5%
18 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
19 Pilanesberg National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
20 Aberdare National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
21 Etosha National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
<5%
22 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
<5%
23 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
24 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%
25 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
26 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
27 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
28 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
29 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
30 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
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