As Geoffrey Dabb wrote this morning, in a different context, asking questions is how to learn. Thanks to all who replied offline to my pipits/bushlarks query
below – or to an expanded pipits/bushlarks/songlarks query. The consensus was that the birds were mostly likely pipits, and this was confirmed during further observation this morning – longish bill, no rufous wing colouration in flight, no hint of a crest,
and occasional tail-bobbing (‘teetering’). Perhaps the reason that the birds were very low to the ground was to keep warm – ‘chilly’ doesn’t do the conditions justice this morning.
Steve
From: Steve Read [
Sent: Saturday, 27 June 2015 4:00 PM
To: 'COG List'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Pipits or bushlarks? Stromlo Forest Park this morning
Make that “Bill shape was probably important but
insufficiently distinctive for me to note”...
S
From: Steve Read
Sent: Saturday, 27 June 2015 2:50 PM
To: 'COG List'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Pipits or bushlarks? Stromlo Forest Park this morning
No White-fronted Chats in their usual spot at Stromlo Forest Park this morning, under a low cloudy sky. Good numbers of Magpie-Larks, Crested Pigeons and Red-rumped
Parrots were feeding in groups on the ground – plus seven small brown birds that I initially assumed were pipits (Australasian Pipit, the species we used to call Richard’s Pipit) but the more I looked the less sure I was.
The birds appeared smaller and dumpier than I remembered for pipits, and were lower to the ground – they didn’t have that upright standing stance. My notes
say “obvious, pale yellow eyebrow – streaked breast and forehead – pale throat – white flash either side of tail when flying – legs and bill nondescriptly brown/pink”. Bill shape was probably important but sufficiently distinctive for me to note. Any chance
these were Horsfeld’s Bushlark? What should I look for if I return to Stromlo tomorrow?
Steve
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