Rock Pipit, Dublin Ireland (1 Viewer)

[EricC]

Hello. I found this extremely pale rock pipit last summer (2020), it stood out from any others that were around. It was a breeding adult as it was carrying beakfulls of insects from time to time. I would be interested in any comments.
Thank you.

 

[SteveClifton]

I agree a Rock Pipit with some kind of plumage aberration, causing it to be paler than usual.

 

[pianoman]

I agree a Rock Pipit with some kind of plumage aberration, causing it to be paler than usual.

I have seen a similar very pale Rock Pipit at Dun Laoghaire Eric, had me fooled for a while. Mine was a warmer buff colour - curious!

edit: my post here:

Pipit, Ireland East

This occasional visitor to Dun Laoghaire Pier seems curiously pale and warm coloured compared to the Rock Pipits I usually see around here. Is it anything unusual, or within the normal range for this species? Thanks in advance Andrew

www.birdforum.net

 

[EricC]

Perhaps I could have been more specific! I found this bird on a number of occasions about half-way down the West Pier in Dun Laoghaire. I attach another, poor, photograph showing that the plumage was rather worn. Rather than being an occasional visitor, it was nesting there. What was particularly striking was how it blended so well with patches of dry grass but was very conspicuous when on the rocky areas.

 

[pianoman]

Hmm interesting! Yet I don't think it is the same bird, there are differences in bill and leg colour to my eye. Perhaps we are looking at the next generation!

 

[EricC]

Hmm interesting! Yet I don't think it is the same bird, there are differences in bill and leg colour to my eye. Perhaps we are looking at the next generation!

The two photos do look quite different, I agree. I can only say that I was never aware of more than one light-coloured bird. The photos were taken two days apart, in the same area of the pier, but using different cameras. Could this have influenced the image?

Here is one more photo, taken with the same camera as used for the first photos.