Paddyfield or Blyth's Pipit: Malaysia?

[Dave B]

I was birding last week in the extreme north of Peninsular Malaysia. I was alerted by an unfamiliar call - high-pitched and buzzy - reminiscent of but not as high-pitched as Red-throated Pipit. However, the only bird I could see was this pipit, which at the time I thought was Paddyfield (Paddyfield Pipit is the default pipit anywhere in Malaysia). I did not hear the call again.

After I had taken these and a few other similar pics, the bird flew, and the only bird I was subsequently able to locate called exactly as I would expect a Paddyfield to. I was unable to get a view of the mantle.

My guess is that this bird is a Paddyfield Pipit in fresh plumage, but the crown seems very well-streaked and the median coverts are suggestive of Blyth's - a species I have no experience of (and which has never been recorded in Malaysia). My guess is that the bill and hind claw shape are closer to Paddyfield.

Does anyone with experience of both species have any thoughts?

Thanks

Dave

[CAU]

I'm not an expert on Paddyfield Pipit, but to me the subject bird looks like a good Blyth's Pipit:
-the centres of the median coverts are blunt
-the crown and nape are strongly streaked
-the supercilium is very weak
-it lacks the thin loral stripe typical of most Paddyfield Pipits
-the bill looks short

The hind toe claw looks rather straight, but I don't know if it's a useful feature. At least on Richard's Pipit the shape of the hind toe claw varies a lot. The length of the hind claw fits well Blyth's Pipit.

The description of the first call could perhaps fit Blyth's Pipit, although I don't at least personally associate calls of Blyth's Pipit with Red-throated Pipit. Here you can listen to some calls of Blyth's Pipit (the first one, which is the standard Richard's Pipit-like flight call, could be the one that you described):
http://www.tarsiger.com/sounds/index.php?sp=find&lang=eng&order=nro,paiva%20DESC&species=87670
The 'chup-chup' calls of Blyth's Pipit could perhaps remind one of Paddyfield Pipit.

[Brian S]

Dave

I have a fair amount of experience of both, and have on one occasion seen them together, near Nagpur in central India.

I would echo Magnus's comments, with the stronger head pattern of Paddyfield (a more prominent supercilium and thin dark loral line) compared to the weaker super and non loral line of Blyth's helpful. The Paddyfields seemed to have a more Richard's-like median dark covert centre, but the more Paddyfields you look at the more variable it seems to be - though the coverts also seemed quite warm buff on Paddyfield and whiter in the Blyth's.

Their calls are different, but how best to describe?

Here's a Paddyfield http://www.xeno-canto.org/asia/browse.php?query=or:9763.00
Here's one type of Blyth's http://www.xeno-canto.org/asia/browse.php?query=or:9772.00

Brian S

[Dave B]

Dave

I have a fair amount of experience of both, and have on one occasion seen them together, near Nagpur in central India.

I would echo Magnus's comments, with the stronger head pattern of Paddyfield (a more prominent supercilium and thin dark loral line) compared to the weaker super and non loral line of Blyth's helpful. The Paddyfields seemed to have a more Richard's-like median dark covert centre, but the more Paddyfields you look at the more variable it seems to be - though the coverts also seemed quite warm buff on Paddyfield and whiter in the Blyth's.

Their calls are different, but how best to describe?

Here's a Paddyfield http://www.xeno-canto.org/asia/browse.php?query=or:9763.00
Here's one type of Blyth's http://www.xeno-canto.org/asia/browse.php?query=or:9772.00

Brian S

Oh dear! I feel I really messed this one up! I took the photos from the passenger seat of the car for fear of spooking the bird. I was craning my neck to get a shot of the bird (behind the car), so viewing conditions were not ideal (and it was raining).

The Robson recording of Blyth's Pipit on Xenocanto sounds very like what I remember hearing.

I will have to go back and have another look for this bird - only a 3 hour drive each way!

Thanks for the help, and further thoughts would still be appreciated.

Dave

PS Brian, your illustration of adult Paddyfield in Wells Vol 2 is the only illustration or photo I have found showing broad whitish tips to the median coverts - not dissimilar from my bird,so presumably they aren't always buff...

[Brian S]

PS Brian, your illustration of adult Paddyfield in Wells Vol 2 is the only illustration or photo I have found showing broad whitish tips to the median coverts - not dissimilar from my bird,so presumably they aren't always buff...

They can be whitish, but the black centres don't seem to be quite so clear cut.

http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?p=13&action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=2085&Bird_Family_ID=175&pagesize=1

Brian S

[Killian Mullarney]

Hi Dave,

I had opportunities to compare Paddyfield, Richard's and Blyth's Pipits virtually side-by-side every day on a visit to Goa in November a few years ago and prior to that had good looks at Blyth's in China, in spring. My immediate impression upon seeing your photos is that it is a perfect Blyth's Pipit. The comparatively small bill, rather co.... streaking on head and upperparts, shortish tail (though very worn),and especially the boldly pale tipped/dark-based median coverts all point strongly to Blyth's in my opinion. I was really surprised, the first time I saw them, at how broad and creamy the median covert tips were on spring birds in China.

My guess is that this bird replaced its median coverts earlier in the winter and that the buffish colour has faded. The greater coverts are probably much more recently moulted and retain the fresh buff colour to the tips.

I hope you are able to relocate the bird and give it the time that it deserves, but even if you don't I think the photos, and your impression of the call, effectively 'nail' it. Congratulations on a great find!

Killian Mullarney

[Dave B]

Thanks Magnus, Brian and Killian,

I've posted all my pics of the bird on my blog (http://digdeep1962.blogspot.com/) now, not that they show much new. I plan to revisit the site this coming weekend, so we'll see. Even without further sightings though, you have collectively convinced me that, amazingly enough, this is a Blyth's Pipit.

Thanks once again!

Dave

[Dave B]

Just a short postscript,

Spent all day at the site yesterday but, despite perusing many Paddyfield Pipits, did not manage to relocate the Blyth's.

Cheers

Dave

[CAU]

Thanks Magnus, Brian and Killian,


Actually I'm not Magnus, Magnus H. is 'stenura'.

[JanJ]

Actually I'm not Magnus, Magnus H. is 'stenura'.

Ever so correct! But will we ever get to know CAU's real identity? :wink:

JanJ

[Brian S]

Actually I'm not Magnus, Magnus H. is 'stenura'.

This is my fault! Sorry CAU....

Brian S

[stenura]

Actually I'm not Magnus, Magnus H. is 'stenura'.

True, but I do agree with your ID :-)

/Magnus

[adriaens]

Ever so correct! But will we ever get to know CAU's real identity? :wink:

JanJ

I for one am wondering - really !

[CAU]

Well, I'm not that secretive... If you want to know my name, PM me (but you'd only be disappointed, since I'm just a nobody).

[JanJ]

Well CAU - ever so modest - I like that. I have always been fond of people who are funny but dosen´t know it themselfs, true modesty if you like! However, humans are a curious lot, where would we have been otherwise? We also like to know the ones we are impressed by but at the same have the ability to be modest about it.:wink:
So :beer: to you CAU whoever you are!

JanJ
Jan Jörgensen Sweden

[Colin Key]

Well, I'm not that secretive... If you want to know my name, PM me (but you'd only be disappointed, since I'm just a nobody).

Of course, you are Gordon Brown !!!:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Colin

[CAU]

:beer:

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

[Dave B]

:beer:

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

Dragging this thread back from the (albeit entertaining) diversion into the field identification of CAU, I have one final query about the pipit, which I am now almost happy is Blyth's.

According to Alstrom and Mild's description, Blyth's ought not to show any flank streaking, but this bird does, though the streaks are rather faint, and would perhaps disappear with wear.

Any thoughts please?

Dave

[CAU]

I wouldn't be at all concerned about a few thin flank streaks. This Finnish bird seems also to show a few flank streaks:
http://www.tarsiger.com/images/kesma/Antgod20051120132029.jpg