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Pipit ID, N Germany, 05/2015 (1 Viewer)

Sangahyando

Well-known member
Germany
These were taken on May 11th of 2015 near Neumünster (same bird in both pictures). My field notes mention a pipit "with pink legs, hind claw shorter than the hind toe itself, flanks faintly streaked". I'm assuming that I was referring to this bird, since I didn't take any other pictures of pipits that day, despite observing singing Tree Pipit(s).

At the location where the picture was taken, both Tree and Meadow Pipits are very common, as there is suitable habitat for both (an open area with heather and bog, and on the other side fens and swampy forest).

After forgetting about it for two years, I still don't really know what to make of this bird. Pipits aren't my strong suit, and something seems off (unfortunately, I didn't take any notes on back streaking or lack thereof). Am I missing something obvious here?

Both pictures are heavily cropped. The shoddy quality is a result of the distance involved.

Any opinions? I'd be grateful for any help.

- Andy
 

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The mantle, and what I can see of the crown look grey to me? Image as you say is a tad inhibiting for ID but...Water Pipit might be a candidate?

Cheers
 
Assuming the "apparant" grey mantle and crown are "incorrect" for the displayed images?....then I'd be inclined to agree, however.......

It doesn’t look all that grey to me - greyish brown at worst.

The only other option from the photo is meadow pipit, and there’s plenty to rule that out both in the picture and the OPs text.
 
The mantle, and what I can see of the crown look grey to me? Image as you say is a tad inhibiting for ID but...Water Pipit might be a candidate?

Cheers
I was thinking the same thing, but like I said, I'm no expert on pipits and I don't have any specialist literature on them, and not even the Collins guide shows all possible angles and configurations.
My question was essentially if this is "just" a Tree Pipit in a transitional plumage or odd lighting, or a Water Pipit in similar circumstances.


It doesn’t look all that grey to me - greyish brown at worst.

The only other option from the photo is meadow pipit, and there’s plenty to rule that out both in the picture and the OPs text.
So this bird looks OK for Tree Pipit? Is it a transitional plumage or is it just an odd angle etc. (see above)?
 
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