Unidentified pipit in Bulgaria

[MichaelF]

I've been sent this pipit photo with a request to pass it around to try and get it identified. Apparently the photo was taken 6 months ago somewhere in Bulgaria (location not given to me, I'll ask), and the locals don't know what it is. Anyone any ideas?

Thanks!

[Anton Antonov]

The picture has been taken in the vicinity of Knezha city in Bulgaria!
Any opinions welcome!

[j j]

Was it wagging its tail at all?

[Anton Antonov]

Few info is avaialable, unfortunately :-(

But what is your suspicion after all?! Could it be a young Tawny Pipit just!? Or could it be a young Richard's or Blyth's Pipit?

[Anton Antonov]

I think it is not a young Tree or a Meadow Pipit, even though I have very few experience with juveniles of these species.

[shearwater2002]

6 months ago? Is it not a juvenile White Wagtail?

[Anton Antonov]

At first I thought of a mixture of a wagtail and pipit but it really seems like a pipit!:err: The mantle, wing and facial pattern does not suggest a wagtail? If you think I'm wrong, please motivate your opinion!

[Anton Antonov]

What I need is a logical exclusion identification process by a person really knowing pipits/wagtails. I am sure there are such persons here! Please, provide me some such debate! :puzzled:

[Ben Miller]

6 months ago? Is it not a juvenile White Wagtail? Surely, yes. The side of the black chest patch can even be seen.

[Cristian Mihai]

In my humble opinion the bird is a juvenile White Wagtail. For comparison see:
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=159708
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=262148
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=276347

[Anton Antonov]

I think I found what it is - just a juvenile Yellow Wagtail

for comparison:

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=263245

[CAU]

I agree on juvenile Yellow Wagtail. A juvenile White Wagtail would have a greyish back. A juvenile Citrine Wagtail could look quite similar, but the whitish tips to the greater coverts would be broader (and AFAIK Citrine Wagtail doesn't breed in Bulgaria).

[CAU]

Well, you could perhaps call the back greyish, but it still has a strong brownish or greenish hue, which is absent on White Wagtail. A Yellow Wagtail does have a black bib in juvenile plumage:
http://es.treknature.com/gallery/Europe/Ukraine/photo118378.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nigelblake/2630792496/

[Anton Antonov]

Yes, you're totally right - there is absolutely no doubt anymore that it is a juv. Yellow Wagtail.