[All photographs copyright, Gary Nunn 2014] – While searching for Red-throated Pipits today on the Western Field Ornithologists “Rarity Chase” Field Trip we had the good fortune to discover this striking looking “Siberian” Pipit Anthus rubescens japonicus (currently considered an Asian form of American Pipit by the AOU but there is increasing evidence it deserves species status). This bird could be distinguished from the nominate rubescens American Pipits it accompanied by a number of features including the much paler legs (pinkish golden colored?), darker colored upperparts, contrasty darker wings with standout large pale wing bars on the greater and median coverts, pale straw colored underparts with extensive dark streaking extending down the belly, and the impressively large triangular dark malar patch. This bird looks to be in fresh richly colorful plumage with darker penciled lines down the back which will increase in prominence as the lighter feather edges wear away. Similarly the fresh wing coverts are tipped with very pale brown which will fade more whitish as they age. I think the heavily streaked upper breast is particularly distinctive forming a “necklace” on this bird which outlines the pale throat. I noticed in a few of the photographs the very black centered median coverts can be seen poking out from under the fluffy scapular feathers, another good field mark of the japonicus form of American Pipit.
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
American Pipit (japonicus form) – Tijuana River Valley, San Diego County, California 09 Oct 2014
Excellent photographs! I had the good fortune of being one of the participants of the field-trip expertly led by Gary and I fully concur with his identification (like him I have previous experience with the species – at a similar season in the Emirates). And, of course, with giving A japonicus species status!
Awesome bird!! This same bird was refound on the sod farms on Nov 11 (photos) and 12, 2014. Great documentation Gary.