Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range and the population size is very large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
This species is endemic to Europe, where the total population size is estimated at 60,000-300,000 mature individuals, with 30,000-150,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021). The population trend is unknown (BirdLife International 2021).
Trend justification
.
The species is found in the Canary Islands and Madeira where it is sedentary (Tucker and Heath 1994). Birds are found from sea level to over 2,000 m in all habitats except dense woodland and wetter areas. In the eastern Canaries it uses dry, sparsely vegetated semi-desert areas of volcanic rock and other open habitats such as tracks. In the western Canaries it is found in mountainous areas and on rocky hillsides. In Madeira it is most frequently found in the high sierras but can also be found on cliffs and fields near the sea.
It breeds from late January to August probably producing two broods of two to five eggs. The nest of dry grass and roots lined with hair, wool or feathers is built in the shelter of a small bush or stone. It feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates but also consumes seeds (Tyler 2016). There is no evidence to suggest the species makes seasonal altitudinal movements (Tyler 2016).
There are currently no known threats to this species, however future large-scale developments may impinge on its habitats (Tyler 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
Bern Convention Appendix II. There have been studies on aspects of the species such as breeding ecology, population history and prevalence of disease (Garcia-del-Rey and Creswell 2007, Illera et al. 2008).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Key sites should be identified and legal protection from development ensured. Populations should be monitored and research continued.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Berthelot's Pipit Anthus berthelotii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/berthelots-pipit-anthus-berthelotii on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.