Birds 16 - The Nilgiri Pipit

The Nilgiri pipit The Nilgiri Pipit is a tiny bird a distinctive species of pipits seen in the high altitudes of Nilgiri and Anamalai Hills. It is easily identified by its richer brown colour and a streaking on the breast that flows along the flanks. It has dark lores and beaks buff coloured outer tail feathers and throat, black-streaked crown and upper parts. It feeds on grass seeds and insects, builds its nest- a cup of grass in short grass in the breeding time of April-July. Just four thousand birds remain, endangered by destruction of its grassland habitation by wild fire, weeds like broom and acacia plantation. We need to avoid encroaching into the natural habitat of animals and birds, avoid fomenting wild fire, thus save our flora and fauna from extinction.