Subject: Blyth's or Richards Pipit? [Print This Page] Author: wgeoff Time: 10/09/2009 16:25 Subject: Blyth's or Richards Pipit?
This Pipit on the South Peninsular of Po Toi consistently makes a 'chip' or 'chip chip' call. It also responded to a taped call of Blyth's Pipit, instantly coming down from the hillside to the call and landing on a nearby rock. That is how I managed to get these photos. You can see in the first photo, it is responding to the taped call and is stretching up to see where the call is coming from. However, it also makes a call similar to a Richard's Pipit.
It seems to prefer sandy patches within the grass and does not use rocks, except in this one instance. I never managed to see it on the ground, except for these photos. When flushed, it flies around calling for some time before choosing a grassy landing area, or once on the railing next to the concrete path to watch to see where I am.
Could it be Blyth's?
[ Last edited by wgeoff at 6/01/2010 15:21 ] Author: HFCheung Time: 10/09/2009 21:59
Look good to me as Blyth's. The heavy crown streak, rather dark streaks on breast, shorter bill, orange-buff patch on ear covert, shorter leg, shorter hind craw, all fits Blyth's very well. So I will go for Blyth's.
HF Cheung Author: ajohn Time: 11/09/2009 09:24
To me, this looks more like a Richard's Pipit, based on the strucutre/jizz. Overall, the bird seems very slim and long-tailed, almost like a Yellow Wagtail. The bill length is difficult to judge on these photos because the bird is facing slightly away, but seems to me to be long enough for Richard's. The hindclaw is also difficult to see, but seems to be longish and not as strongly arched as I remember from Blyth's.
In terms of plumage I think the bird is fairly plain above and below, not as strongly streaked (especially on the mantle) as I would expect from Blyth's. The underparts show strongly buffy flanks and whiter belly - more of a feature of Richard's I think. The pattern of the median coverts (which is supposedly diagnostic in adults) cannot be seen clearly on these photos, but it seems that the bird is a first-winter without any adult MC, in which case this feature may not be present.
Calls are difficult to judge (and, of course, very difficult to write). Both species have a variety of calls. In addition to the classic 'schreep' call of Richard's, there is also a shorter 'chup' call. It is interesting though that the bird responded to recordings of Blyth's (although you don't mention if you also tested it against a recording of Richard's!)
In terms of behaviour, the Kam Tin Blyth's Pipit was distinctly different from Richard's by dropping rapidly into cover after flying - not hovering over the ground and landing on open areas, as you seem to suggest this bird has been doing.
Having said all that, I have relatively little experience of Blyth's and it must be overlooked in HK. I'm happy to be proved wrong if this does turn out to be a Blyth's Pipit!
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