Mole1
Well-known member
Had this interesting pipit recently in the UK. It didn't call (or possibly did and called as Meadow - was in a small flock and only Meadow flight call heard). Was attracted originally by seeing a photo from my wife showing what looked like streaking on the rump.
I managed some better photos of it the following day and from what I can see it is either a strongly marked Meadow Pipit (most likely), or poorly marked Red-Throated. Some of my own comments:
- Streaking on upper tail coverts looks more marked from the side than behind
- Streaking seems to extend to lower rump, although perhaps better described as spotted on rump when seen from behind
- Well defined supercilium - not typical of the meadows I have been scrutinising recently
- Paler bird - stood out noticeably, particularly front on with bold dark streaks on pale breast
- Flank streaking is poorly defined (pro Meadow feature)
- Mantle shows tramlines, but not as well defined as you would expect for a classic Red-Throated.
- shortest tertial looks closest to Meadow pattern. Contrast on wing does not stand out enough to me for Red-Throated
So where have I got to in my analysis? I think probably meadow, but there is something about this bird that means that I don't want to assign it to the scrap heap without getting the opinion of others. I've certainly learned a lot about pipits from reading a few articles, particularly that Meadows can show streaking/ spotting on Uppertail coverts and rump. Lots of photos attached - probably across a few posts.
Thanks in advance for considering this bird and providing comments.
I managed some better photos of it the following day and from what I can see it is either a strongly marked Meadow Pipit (most likely), or poorly marked Red-Throated. Some of my own comments:
- Streaking on upper tail coverts looks more marked from the side than behind
- Streaking seems to extend to lower rump, although perhaps better described as spotted on rump when seen from behind
- Well defined supercilium - not typical of the meadows I have been scrutinising recently
- Paler bird - stood out noticeably, particularly front on with bold dark streaks on pale breast
- Flank streaking is poorly defined (pro Meadow feature)
- Mantle shows tramlines, but not as well defined as you would expect for a classic Red-Throated.
- shortest tertial looks closest to Meadow pattern. Contrast on wing does not stand out enough to me for Red-Throated
So where have I got to in my analysis? I think probably meadow, but there is something about this bird that means that I don't want to assign it to the scrap heap without getting the opinion of others. I've certainly learned a lot about pipits from reading a few articles, particularly that Meadows can show streaking/ spotting on Uppertail coverts and rump. Lots of photos attached - probably across a few posts.
Thanks in advance for considering this bird and providing comments.
