African Pipit vs Paddyfield Pipit

African Pipit

Anthus cinnamomeus

Small32 gGrassland

The African pipit is 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) long and is a slender bird with an erect stance. It is buffy-brown above with darker streaks. The underparts are white or pale buff with a streaked breast and plain belly and flanks. The face is boldly patterned with a pale stripe over the eye and a dark malar stripe. The outer tail-feathers are white. The legs are long and pinkish and the slender bill is dark with a yellowish base to the lower mandible. Juvenile birds have a blotched breast, scalloping on the upperparts and some streaking on the flanks.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Timothy Whitehead · CC BY 4.0

Paddyfield Pipit

Anthus rufulus

Small20 gGrassland

This is a large pipit at 15 cm, but is otherwise an undistinguished looking bird, mainly streaked grey-brown above and pale below with breast streaking. It is long legged with a long tail and a long dark bill. Sexes are similar. Summer and winter plumages are similar. Young birds are more richly coloured below than adults and have the pale edges to the feathers of the upper parts more conspicuous with more prominent spotting on the breast.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Tonynirappathu · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: African Pipit and Paddyfield Pipit.