Pipit, North Wales, 20th January (1 Viewer)

[wally170]

Good afternoon good people of Birdforum

I saw this Pipit today, and it started a lenghty discussion between the 5 or so of us who saw it.

I think it's a Rock Pipit. There plenty of Meadow Pipit around and this bird was much dark. It was feeding along the edge of the water, amongst rocks and boulders.

Why i think it's a Rock Pipit.

- Dark upperparts. Much darker than Meadow Pipit.
- More contrasting bold Eye-Ring, that although common for Meadow I have never really noticed.
- Dark Spots underneath, much darker and bolder than I have ever seen on Meadow Pipit
- Dark legs, depending on light appearing Red to Dark Red/Black.

I don't think it's a Water Pipit, just from general appearance, but would be mightily pleased if it was.

If it's not a Rock Pipit, please point me in the right direction with specific features, and don't just say what it is

Ta Muchly
Wally

 

[Jane Turner]

If you look closely you can see that your bird does not have white outer tail feathers, ruling out Water Pipit and Meadow.

Call would have helped too - more insistant than Mipit!

 

[wally170]

Not very good on Calls, and have no way of converting them into a word.

It was a short, single 'Cheep' or 'Peep'. To me it was very distinctive.
Sorry, not much help.

And thanks for tip about the Tail outer tail feathers.

 

[Jane Turner]

Rock Pipit call is often written down as "Fisst.".

Becau
se they are relatively plain-faced Rock Pipit's face patterns are often dominated by the eye ring.

 

[TSM23]

Agree with Jane, definitely a Rock pipit.