cywong

This photo was taken a few years ago at Tsim Bei Tsui by digiscoping.

The bird looked like a Richard's Pipit but the posture was different, the shape was slightly different ( plumper), and it had a shorter tail and conspicuous wing bars. Can this be a Blyth's Pipit?

Tsim Bei Tsui
24/12/2002
Nikon spotting scope + Coolpix 4500

ajohn

I think this is still a Richard's Pipit.

The hind claw is relatively long and straight (shorter, more arched on Blyth's), and the pattern of the coverts I think is more typical of Richard's than Blyth's (median coverts with broad finges and pointed dark centres) Also Blyth's should appear more heavily streaked above.

The call would also be a useful feature in the field.

I suspect the plumper, shorter-tailed appearance is due to the angle of the photo and posture of the bird, and the suggestion of a wing bar relates to the obvious white fringes to the greater coverts (which show this is a first-winter bird: note that constrast with the moulted inner greater covert)

cywong

Thanks a lot for ajohn's expert opinion.