Bird Guide

European Rock Pipit vs Paddyfield Pipit

European Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)

European Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosus

Small22 gRocky

The European rock pipit is 16.5–17 centimetres (6.5–6.7 in) long and weighs 18–32.5 grams (0.63–1.15 oz). The nominate race has smoky-olive upperparts, weakly streaked with darker brown, and buff underparts, heavily marked with poorly defined brown streaks. The legs, bill and iris are dark brown or blackish, and there is a pale eye-ring. The sexes are alike; although males average slightly brighter than females, the overlap is complete and birds cannot be sexed on appearance or measurements.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Jacob Spinks from Northamptonshire, England · CC BY 2.0
Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)

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

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