Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758)

2018-05-16 Tyumen region, Tyumen district	© Mariya Lupinos

Description

The Tree Pipit is slightly less than Sparrow. Upperparts are olive-grey often buffy tinged; underparts are pale-buffy. The rump is plain olive-grey, may be with slightly buffy tinge without or with barely appreciable streaks. The breast is with bold neat streaks well differed from the fine flanks streaks. The short dark lores continues from eye to bill. The light strip continued from bill on cheek below is buffy. Some specimens have quite contrast head pattern including pale and dark spots over ear as on Olive-backed Pipit; but never in combination with pale supercilium. It is distinguished from the Olive-backed Pipit by the more buffy tinge of plumage, slightly appreciable pale supercilium, lack of apparent olive-green color on mantle. From the Meadow Pipit it is distinguished by the more buffy color; more stocky constitution; curved and short (shorter than toe) claw of rear toe; more stout bill; more plain mantle. Both sexes are similar. The autumn plumage is more buffy than spring one; especially on juveniles also having the more neat dark streaks above, appreciable on the rump too. Weight 19-26 grams, length 15-18, wing 8,2-9,6, wingspan 26-30 cm.

References