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Pipit id help - South India (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ajayr
- Start date
CARERY
Well-known member
I find it very difficult to ID these large pipits without hearing them call. I'd rather refuse to give an opinion here. Instead I would like to put you on track in case you don't know this link yet:
https://digdeep1962.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/identification-of-paddyfield-richards-and-blyths-pipits-in-malaysia/
https://digdeep1962.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/identification-of-paddyfield-richards-and-blyths-pipits-in-malaysia/
Earnest lad
Well-known member
The birds tail being too short for Richards Pipit rules that species out IMHO
Referring to the most helpful article in the link above one can see that the median coverts of a Blythe's Pipit have "diamond shaped" dark areas surrounded by the pale fringe to the median covert.
Looking at these birds I get the impression the median coverts on this bird likewise shows the diamond shaped median covert
Should others perhaps more experienced and knowledgeable than myself concur on this point it would be good to hear.
Referring to the most helpful article in the link above one can see that the median coverts of a Blythe's Pipit have "diamond shaped" dark areas surrounded by the pale fringe to the median covert.
Looking at these birds I get the impression the median coverts on this bird likewise shows the diamond shaped median covert
Should others perhaps more experienced and knowledgeable than myself concur on this point it would be good to hear.
Thanks for the reponse, Roland, and I understand your skepticism. I've been through the link.
Cheers
Ajay
Thanks a lot. It is interesting that you mention median coverts.
That was another area that confused me besides the bill. This link below says that is one difference between an adult Blyth's and Richard's.
https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V87/V87_N03/V87_N03_P136_142_A035.pdf
According to it, "Adult and some first-winter Blyth's Pipits show median coverts with less-triangular and more square black centres, less diffuse on the sides, and with generally paler, broader and less rufous-tinged tips than those of Richard's."
As you say, would be good to hear from the experts. Thanks very much again.
Cheers
Ajay
Southern Frogmouth
Well-known member
To me this pipit appears to have a faint, narrow loral-stripe and I would think this was a Paddyfield Pipit. The median coverts are not the right pattern for Blyth's Pipit and it doesn't look right structurally for a Richard's Pipit. I agree that call is often the most helpful feature in the field though.
Cheers
Roy
Cheers
Roy
Thanks. This was something I was hoping would be raised. The bill and the median coverts to me didn't fit a Blyth's. I was wondering if this was just a paddyfield's with a paler lore than normal.
Cheers
Ajay
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