The Meadow Pipit is resident in north-west Europe but elsewhere is migratory breeding from central Europe north to the Arctic Sea and wintering in southern Europe. It is also found in western Asia and Greenland.

It is the commonest pipit in western Europe as well as being one of the smallest.

It is a ground-dweller and inhabits open, vegetated areas and is often seen perched on bushes, fence posts and stone walls. It has a distinctive song-flight, ascending from the ground or perch with fluttering wings and spread tail then descending almost like a parachute.

It feeds mainly on invertebrates caught on the ground. It also nests on the ground, the nest being cup-shaped and consisting of grasses and other plant material.