Page 440 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

LARKS/PIPITS AND WAGTAILS
Family Alaudidae Species Chersophilus duponti Family Motacillidae Species Anthus richardi
Dupont’s Lark Richard’s Pipit
In its hot, sandy, open, often saline habitat, Dupont’s This is a large pipit, Skylark-like (see p.265) in its size,
Lark is usually difficult to see: it prefers to run rather bulk, and general plumage. It often stands upright,
than fly when disturbed.This streaky breast pushed out, on long, thick legs, its bold, strong
lark stands upright, showing a closely flattish curved bill quite distinct.There is no trace of a crest.The face
bill
crown
streaked breast and white underside. is marked by a bold whitish area around the eye with
In flight, the wings look a dark mark beneath; there is a thick black line
plain above, pale below long, on each side of the throat (less marked on
(unlike Skylark or Calandra narrow a Tawny Pipit, see p.279).The long tail
Lark, see p.265, 270), and neck is often bobbed.
the tail a little longer than on OCCURRENCE Regular, but
Crested Lark (see p.266). rare, late autumn migrant in
OCCURRENCE Rare and local NW Europe, from Asia.
in E Spain and North Africa, VOICE Loud, rasping schreep
in short, sparse, vegetation. and quieter variations.
VOICE Call thin
choo-chee; song short,
whistling, fluty notes.
long blackish tail
with white sides
very long
hind claws

Length 17–18cm (6 1 ⁄2 –7in) Wingspan 30cm (12in) Length 17–20cm (6 1 ⁄2 –8in) Wingspan 29–33cm (11 1 ⁄2 –13in)

Family Motacillidae Species Anthus godlewski Family Motacillidae Species Anthus hodgsoni
Blyth’s Pipit Olive-backed Pipit
Only recently observed with any regularity in Europe, Looking rather dark and uniform above or bright and
Blyth’s Pipit is difficult to identify,resembling Richard’s streaked in front in a brief view, this pipit reveals a
and juvenile Tawny Pipits (see p.279). It is fractionally subtle pattern on closer examination. It is greenish,
smaller than Richard’s, with a shorter tail, a slightly with very soft streaking above, and has a dark cap, a
richer underside colour, a slightly shorter, pointed bill, broad, bright cream stripe above the eye, a dark stripe
and shorter hind claws. It may look more like a small through the eye, and a cream spot on the ear coverts.
pipit species and more wagtail-like than The underside is bright yellow-buff to buff
Richard’s, but only close observation with bold black
and several clearly heard calls can streaks. It frequently bold dark
streaks on
separate them for certain. walks in longish pale
OCCURRENCE Very rare vagrant vegetation, bobbing underside
in NW Europe, from Asia. its tail, but flies into
VOICE Slightly higher than trees if disturbed.
Richard’s, less explosive, OCCURRENCE Rare
with fading, breathy vagrant in NW Europe
quality, psh-eee. from Asia, mostly in
late autumn.
VOICE Tree Pipit-
wagtail-like
short shape like hoarse or
tail buzzing spees
or tees.

Length 15–17cm (6–6 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 28–30cm (11–12in) Length 14–15cm (5 1 ⁄2 –6in) Wingspan 24–27cm (9 1 ⁄2 –10 1 ⁄2in)
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