Anthus trivialis/pratensis, Bulgaria (1 Viewer)

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Birders Reports

Well-known member

• Oct 26, 2016

• #1

Hello to all,

Please, can you help us with the ID of this pipit?
Photo is from these days, taken in Bulgaria.
Pro-pratensis feature is more "kind" face appearance, including pale area in front of eye and the slimmer bill. Maybe and heavier flank streaking.
Pro-trivialis feature is patterned ear-coverts with light and dark spot there. And maybe the pinkish base of lower mandible.
Thank you!

 

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lou salomon

the birdonist

• Oct 26, 2016

• #2

tree pipit. a fairly late one. and one with heavy flank streaking. no photo of the upperparts?

 

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Birders Reports

Well-known member

• Oct 26, 2016

• #3

Thank you, Lou! Sorry, no photo of the upperparts.

 

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SteveClifton

Well-known member

• Oct 26, 2016

• #4

Are you 100% happy that Olive-backed can be safely eliminated Lou?
How common on mainland Europe are Tree Pipits with heavy flank streaking, relatively small bills and this late into October?

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Oct 26, 2016

• #5

that's why i asked about the upperparts, steve. but from what i can see it gives me much more the impression of a tree pipit. that said: no, i cannot 100% a hodgsoni from this pic

 

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SteveClifton

Well-known member

• Oct 26, 2016

• #6

lou salomon said:

that's why i asked about the upperparts, steve. but from what i can see it gives me much more the impression of a tree pipit. that said: no, i cannot 100% a hodgsoni from this pic

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Agree with your reservations re a definite ID here. It does perhaps convey a more Tree Pipit-like impression in this one photo, but I wonder how much of this is due to the white balance of the image giving it a more yellow/golden hue?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Oct 27, 2016

• #7

SteveClifton said:

... but I wonder how much of this is due to the white balance of the image giving it a more yellow/golden hue?

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I've edited the photo to get the best colour balance I'd expect for the birch bark and autumn leaves. Does that affect thoughts about the bird?

 

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lou salomon

the birdonist

• Oct 27, 2016

• #8

i get more and more confident it is a tree pipit. i'd expect a longer and two-toned supercillium in olive-backed, dark ear spot more contrasting, facial markings, breast colour (uniform in this bird) and even flank streaking acceptable.