Meadow Pipit or Buff-Bellied Pipit? (1 Viewer)

[Houman Doroudi (Tormtay)]

I took this photo in north of Iran in Fereydoun kenar. I think this bird is quite different from Meadow Pipit, because it had large,dark patch in his neck, but its legs color wass pale, and also the breast was yellowish too, it may be same with Buff-Bellied Pipit. Please send me your kindly advice and guide me.

Best Regards
H. Doroudi

 

[CARERY]

Not an easy angle to ID it safely. I lean towards Meadow Pipit, they are extremely variable an can be heavily marked on breast and flanks. The legs can get rather pale in japonicus Buff-bellied Pipits but can they be as light as in this bird? Assuming this is a recent photo I would expect BbP to show some more buff on the underside than this bird in late winter. Another feature for MP is the largely orangish bill which should be somewhat darker in BbP. No picture of the back available I suppose?

Here is a photo from a BbP with fairly pale legs: https://www.birdsofkuwait.com/blog/wp-content/2015/01/Buff-bellied_Pipit_1_SIR6595.jpg