The Trekkie's Forum

CS, you are gonna like this one!

It will also answer your question of earlier.



This bird was seen in Rietvlei.

The list of Rietvlei Pipits are narrowed down to Buffy and Plain-Backed Pipits, due to the most obvious factor, being the unstreaked back.

The bill is not going to help us much in this case as a Buffy Pipit would show a pinkish lower mandible.

It took me a while to decide on which of the two this one was but finally the following features made me pick Plain-Backed Pipit.

The bird is quite darkish grey above. Buffy Pipit tends to be more brownish. It is also a shade of cinnamon on the underside which fits Plain-Backed Pipit's description in Roberts.

Then I came across the following in the Plain-Backed Pipit's description:

wing coverts edged pale, centres showing as rows of darker spots.

Now, this CS should answer your question of earlier that Plain-Backed Pipit seems to have this prominent feature. I looked at quite a few photographs of Plain-Backed Pipit and it indeed seems to be the case!

Like I've said. I have settled with Plain-Backed Pipit here and it might turn out to be a new tick for both me and Laine.

Last edited by wildtuinman (10-12-2008 11:39:37)

The back would've been the inarguable clue here, Jax. But it is unfortunately not clearly visible. What I can make out of it is that it seems to be a plain back. I am very wary of id'ing any Pipits on color, especially from that of a photograph as light can play tricks on our eyes very easily.

The Buffy Pipit also favors recently burnt areas according to Roberts. Whereas there is no mention made of African Pipit frequenting burnt areas but described as taking favor to grassy patches.

hmmz not sure if I got a back view of the bird....will have to search thru my cd's for that file......
in the meantime I will defs then bow to your superior knowledge ..will look at linked pic just now, just have to shoot off to town, my circular polariser aka xmas pressie has arrived

yeah that one pic on birdpics looks alot like my bird...okay well going to change the tick in my book to Buffy then

and have to dash back and forth, need food and toys ...plus being inside too long gives me cabin fever

(@ DD...oh u found it!  lol)

so to sort out MY confusion.

First one - Agreed African Pipit

Jay's one - Buffy Pipit?

Third one posted by WTM - Plain Backed Pipit?

wildtuinman wrote:

...

wing coverts edged pale, centres showing as rows of darker spots.

...

LOL so you can use the coverts for the Plain-backed Pipit then

Another thing you can look for in the Buffy Pipit while in the field:

Newmans wrote:

...
Bobs its tail more frequently than most pipits, and has the habit of running a short distance then standing erect with breast thrown out...

Yes, mine is an African From Rietvlei as well.

Do you have this book, WTM? do you think it'll make a major difference in IDing the quintessential LBJ?

For those of us who battle with the pipit.. something to make you feel better.  Even the professionals battle as I watched Enos and WTM trying to id a pipit in Kaapsehoop this weekend..

It's a learning curve for all of us!