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Leading Streak Today

Your Streak Today

Leading Streak Today

Your Streak Today

This species lives in close association with humans, and its insect-eating habits mean that it is tolerated by man. Do you know what it is?

British Birds - Martins, Swallows, Pipits and Wagtails

The swallows and martins are a group of birds which are characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Pipits and wagtails are part of the family Motacillidae. The genus is widespread, occurring across most of the world, except the driest deserts, rainforests and the mainland of Antarctica.

Test your knowledge of these birds in the following picture quiz.

1 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Malene Thyssen

Meadow Pipit

Tree Pipit

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Group: Swallows and Martins
Binomial: Hirundo rustica
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Status: Breeding Summer Visitor
This species lives in close association with humans, and its insect-eating habits mean that it is tolerated by man; this acceptance was reinforced in the past by superstitions regarding the bird and its nest.

2 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of touch_of_frost

Water Pipit

Grey Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Group: Wagtails and Pipits
Binomial: Motacilla flava flavissima
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Status: Breeding Summer Visitor
The call is a characteristic high-pitched 'jeet'.
This insectivorous bird inhabits open country near water.
It nests in tussocks, laying 4-8 speckled eggs.

3 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of www.geograph.org.uk/profile/13903

Sand Martin

Water Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Group: Wagtails and Pipits
Binomial: Motacilla alba
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Status: Breeding Summer Visitor
The most distinctive feature is its wagging tail - it never stops!
Can be seen dashing about over lawns or car parks in search of food.
Often gathers at dusk to form large roosts in city centres.

4 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Myosotis Scorpioides

Rock Pipit

Water Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Group: Wagtails and Pipits
Binomial: Anthus pratensis
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
A small, brown, streaky bird
It is the commonest songbird in upland areas and its high, piping call is a familiar sound.
Will even come to suburban parks and playing fields.

5 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Omar Runolfsson

House Martin

Pied Wagtail

Water Pipit

Rock Pipit

Group: Swallows and Martins
Binomial: Delichon urbicum
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Status: Breeding Summer Visitor
It spends much of its time on the wing collecting insect prey.
The bird's mud nest is usually sited below the eaves of buildings.
Mostly associated with man, found around towns and villages.

6 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of MPF

Rock Pipit

Tree Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Group: Wagtails and Pipits
Binomial: Anthus petrosus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Some birds arrive here from Norway to spend the winter.
The song is a series of 'blocks' of repeated more or less shrill cheeping single or double notes; it ends on a trill.
This species is insectivorous.

7 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of J M Garg

Water Pipit

Grey Wagtail

Tree Pipit

Rock Pipit

Group: Wagtails and Pipits
Binomial: Anthus trivialis
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Status: Breeding Summer Visitor
The song flight is unmistakable.
The bird rises a short distance up from a tree, and then parachutes down on stiff wings, the song becoming more drawn out towards the end.
The call is a strong 'spek'.

8 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Ejdzej

Meadow Pipit

Sand Martin

House Martin

Barn Swallow

Group: Swallows and Martins
Binomial: Riparia riparia
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Status: Breeding Summer Visitor
These birds are summer visitors and are among the earliest spring arrivals, often arriving in early March.
They start their return journey to southern Africa for the winter in August.

9 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Kclama

Grey Wagtail

Barn Swallow

Pied Wagtail

Water Pipit

Group: Wagtails and Pipits
Binomial: Motacilla cinerea
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Their diet comprises insects, such as midges and ants, which they find alongside rivers, etc.
They will also take water snails and tadpoles from shallow water.
The young are fed by both parents.