Field identification of Richard's and Tawny Pipits* P. J. Grant Plate 48b The publication in 1963 of a paper concerned mainly with the iden­ tification of Richard's Pipits Anthus novaeseelandiae and Tawny Pipits A. campestris (Williamson 1963) was prompted by the number of reports being received by the Rarities Committee in which some confusion was apparent between the two. That paper and the letters which followed {Brit. Birds, 57: 211-216) greatly clarified what had previously been regarded as an evergreen problem in bird identification. Since then, Richard's Pipits have been recorded in Britain in comparatively large numbers each autumn, and there has been ample opportunity to test thoroughly in the field the sometimes rather tentative identification criteria put forward in those earlier appraisals. Because of the regularity of its occurrence, Richard's Pipit has now been removed from the list of species considered by the Rarities Committee, so this seems an opportune time to reassess the situation as a guide to observers unfamiliar with this bird. My own experience in Britain involves about ten Tawny and 20 Richard's Pipits closely studied for a total of many hours in field conditions. In compiling the following summary of the most useful and reliable differences, I have been greatly helped by reference to a sample batch of field descriptions from the files of the Rarities Com­ mittee : these have provided an invaluable cross-section of opinion and experience. D. j. Britton and R. J. Johns also made useful comments on an early draft of the paper from their extensive knowledge of the two species in Britain and abroad.

Plumage For practical purposes in the field there appear to be no significant plumage differences between adult and immature Richard's Pipits and, with reasonable views, there is little possibility of confusion between them and an adult Tawny. Richard's Pipit (plate 48b, right) is compara­ tively dark brown above, usually heavily streaked with blackish, and recalls a Skylark Alauda arvensis in general coloration. Its upper breast is washed with buff and boldly streaked with black, forming a well-marked gorget between the whitish throat and lower breast and belly. (Individuals have occasionally been described with the breast streaking much reduced or even lacking, but they retain the buff wash.)

*A publication sponsored by the Rarities Committee 287 288 Richard's and Tawny Pipits Its flanks are uniformly washed with warm buff, which may appear orange-buff, and are sometimes clearly streaked with blackish. Its head is strongly marked with black, in particular with a prominent moustachial streak which usually ends in a noticeable triangle near the shoulder. In contrast, the adult Tawny Pipit (plate 48b, left) has generally pale, sandy upperparts, the mantle being virtually uniform or with indistinct dark streaks. Its underparts are basically creamy or whitish, usually with very fine streaking confined to the sides of the upper breast. Its head lacks any prominent dark markings, and the fine black moustachial streak is often invisible at long range. Both species show a well-marked whitish or creamy supercilium, but this is often more obvious in Richard's due to contrast with its darker crown. The median coverts of the adult Tawny are blackish, broadly bor­ dered with white, and they contrast with the paler remainder of the wing to form a prominent white-edged dark line of spots which are very obvious in a profile view; pale tips to the greater coverts produce a much less conspicuous light wing-bar. Because of the darker colora­ tion of its wing, Richard's does not show a contrasting dark line of spots on the median coverts, though pale tips to these and the greater coverts do form two inconspicuous wing-bars. Richard's Pipit has almost wholly black central tail-feathers which contrast with white outer ones: this gives the tail a striking black-and-white appearance which is most noticeable when the bird hovers before landing. The central tail-feathers of the Tawny Pipit are broadly edged with pale buff and do not contrast with the white outer feathers to the same extent. The juvenile Tawny Pipit (plate 48b, centre) can present a problem in some circumstances. It differs from the adult in having a slightly greyer cast and stronger streaking below, the latter often being very prominent and extending right across the upper breast. Although in fresh plumage its colour never approaches the dark brown of Richard's Pipit, some individuals are late in acquiring their first-winter plumage (which resembles that of the adult) and can appear very dark in late autumn through wear of the retained juvenile feathers: such indi­ viduals may be met with from late September onwards and can provide a trap for the unwary. Usually the juvenile is dark sandy-grey rather than brown, but differences in structure or call should still be sought to confirm the identification. Particular care should be taken with silent or distant birds.

Structure Although Richard's Pipit is only slightly larger than the Tawny, it is much more heavily built and its bulk is often compared with that of a Skylark. Even in flight it seems heavy and pot-bellied. Its legs appear longer and stouter, its feet often look disproportionately large and its Richard's and Tawny Pipits 289 hind claw is long and lark-like, whereas the Tawny's is short and more arched: this last can be a surprisingly useful feature at close range. The bill of Richard's Pipit is slightly stouter and more thrush-like than the Tawny's, but this is seldom obvious in the field. Richard's has a bold, upright stance on the ground, which serves to increase the impression of a heavy build. In contrast, the Tawny is more delicately built and suggests a large wagtail Motacilla sp, both in flight and on the ground.

Calls Provided that they are heard well, without distortion by wind or distance, the calls of the two species are quite diagnostic, but some previous experience seems advisable before specific identification is attempted from voice alone. The descriptions studied suggest that migrant Richard's Pipits have only one basic call-note, and such adjectives as 'shouted', 'explosive', 'strident' or 'far-carrying' are constantly used to describe it: it is written in a variety of ways, but 'schreep' or 'sh-rout' convey its distinctive, rasping, shouted quality as well as any. The first part is shorter and softer than the loud, upward- inflected, second part, and is sometimes not uttered or is inaudible at a distance. The quality of the call, but not its explosive delivery, reminds some observers of certain notes of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus or the Skylark. The calls of the Tawny Pipit are more varied and appear to fall into three main types; although one is sometimes described as harsh, they all lack the explosive, very loud quality of Richard's, being softer and not so far-carrying. Two of the calls are given mainly in flight: a 'tcheuk' or 'chup' (or disyllabic versions) sometimes described as harsh or reminiscent of House Sparrows, but very similar to some calls from the varied vocabulary of juvenile Linnets Acanthis cannabina; and a 'tsweep' or 'zeep' often likened to the call of a Yellow Wagtail M. flava. There seems to be some intergrada- tion between these two calls and a lot may depend on one's ear: once I was watching a Tawny Pipit with two other observers, one of whom likened its call to that of a sparrow and the other to that of a Yellow Wagtail. The third call, a rapidly repeated, soft, short 'chirpy' note, is sometimes uttered as the bird rises from the ground when flushed, or as it lands.

Behaviour Although the distinction should not be regarded as diagnostic, the apparently different habitat preferences of the two species are worth mentioning. Tawny Pipits seem to prefer sandy or pebbly ground with sparse vegetation, or open areas of short grass. Richard's Pipits are often found in longer vegetation and cope with this sort of cover with a strutting disregard. The more wagtail-like appearance of the Tawny has already been referred to, and this impression is often heightened 290 Richard's and Tawny Pipits by swift-running, tail-wagging and even flycatching habits. Richard's Pipit invariably hovers a few feet off the ground before landing, behaviour reminiscent of a Skylark; although at least one description referred to this behaviour in a Tawny Pipit, it seems a very useful identification pointer to Richard's.

BLYTH'S PIPIT Williamson (1963) drew attention to the possible future occurrence in Britain of Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii. As far as I am aware, nothing has been published on the field appearance or calls of this species, but Williamson showed from skins that its measurements and structure are similar to those of the Tawny Pipit while its plumage characters resemble those of Richard's. While this may appear to confuse the situation, the occurrence of Blyth's Pipit in western Europe seems so unlikely that it would not be unreasonable to ignore the possibility. Mrs B. P. Hall (in litt.) has pointed out that it is rare in its known range (Assam and the Far East) and has not certainly been recorded outside this area. Until notes are available from someone who knows Blyth's Pipit in the field, examination of trapped pipits seems to be the most likely means of identifying one: Williamson gave a detailed analysis of measurements of wing, tail, bill, tarsus and hind claw, and of the distribution of white on the two outermost tail feathers, as a means of separation from Tawny and Richard's. On the basis that anything is possible, it would be a wise precaution to take full measure- ments and detailed plumage descriptions of all large pipits in the hand.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am most grateful to F. R. Smith for providing a sample batch of field descriptions from the files of the Rarities Committee, and to the observers who submitted them. I also thank D. J. Britton and R. J. Johns for their useful comments on an early draft of this paper, and Mrs B. P. Hall for her prompt reply to my detailed enquiries about Blyth's Pipit.

SUMMARY The more reliable and useful differences between Richard's Pipit Anthus novaesee- landiae and Tawny Pipit A. campestris in the field are discussed in the light of greater familiarity with Richard's Pipits in recent years. Particular attention is drawn to the pitfalls which surround dark, worn juvenile Tawny Pipits in late autumn. Attention is also given to the possible occurrence of the similar Blyth's Pipit A. godlewkii in Britain, and to the lack of information on its field appearance and calls; although this possibility is considered most unlikely, a detailed examination of the measurements and plumage of all large pipits trapped would be a wise precaution.

REFERENCE WILLIAMSON, K. 1963. 'The identification of the larger pipits'. Brit. Birds, 56: 285-292. P. J. Grant 16 Windermere Court, Eastrees Park, Ashford, Kent PLATE 48. Wader with mixed characters of immature Common and Spotted Sand­ pipers Tringa bypoleucos and macularia, Spain, October 1971 (pages 305-306) (photo: Rodney Dawson). Below, left to right, adult and juvenile Tawny Pipits Anthus campestris and single Richard's Pipit A. novaeseelandiae (pages 287-290) {sketch: P. J. Grant)