2 Questions about birds in Thailand (1 Viewer)

[Aladdin]

Dear members and bird watchers!

Just back from Kanchanaburi and Ayuttaya. I have seen thousands of egrets during theses days. Huge groups in the paddies. But I spotted one Great Egret, picture #1

It is January and this Great Egret is very obviously in breeding plumage, blue face and red legs. Is this normal for January. The other birds, at least what I have seen are still in winter plumage

Bird on picture #2 was ID by me as a Richard's Pipit, but now when I go through the pictures I think the tail is very short for being a Pipit. Or is it just a strange angle off the tail so it looks short?

Kind Regards and Happy Birding
Aladdin

 

[andyb39]

No.2 looks like an Indochinese Bushlark.

 

[Butty]

1. Maybe it was breeding or about to. I've no idea what the breeding season/variation would be.
2. Note (eg) thick bill, rufous flight-feathers, short tail. Side-on, so there's no potential for the tail to look shorter than it is.

 

[Aladdin]

No.2 looks like an Indochinese Bushlark.

Thank you again andyb39

Highly appreciated!

Kind regards and happy birding
Aladdin