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Storpiber (Anthus richardi) Richard's Pipit -
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Lokalitet:
Southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul - Kirgisien
2009-07-20
Fotograf: Michael Westerbjerg Andersen - Se profil

Titel: Richard's Pipit - First breeding record for Kyrgyzstan

Beskrivelse: First breeding records of Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi in Kyrgyzstan. The age of the bird is stated adult thanks to Netfugls sharp-eyed readers (thanks!), however we first thought it was a juvenile. It was unable to fly, the breatsband faint spottet, had yellow at the base of bill, and layer of down/feather under scapulares were thin. Richard’s Pipit is rare in Kyrgyzstan – I have seen one specimen during migration. But thats the case in Kyrgyzstan where fellow birders and I during the last years have found 3-5 new birds/breeding records for Kyrgyzstan every year. So Richard's is a welcome bird on the list. So, in total we now can conclude tha five adults were observed this day 20/7 in a marsh-area on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, busy foraging and with food in the bills. While trying getting pictures of the distant adults for documentation – difficult… Jan Haaning-Nielsen comes towards us, talking about a “pipit-like” bird he just picked up from the ground few hundred meter away. First optimistic yelling is about how ridiculous odd it could be if it was a juvenile Richard’s Pipit,… so within few seconds later Jan shows the object. And no doubt – the hindclaws are extreme, breast striped and no black between bill and eye… A Richard’s Pipit. After pictures were taken and the bird admired it gently were placed safe and hidden for eventual predators. The Richard’s Pipits were observed and documented by: Bjarke Haaning Nielsen, Ole Amstrup, Morten Jenrich Hansen, Martin Lund, Jan Haaning Nielsen, Henrik Haaning Nielsen, Peter Schjødt and Michael Westerbjerg Andersen.

Uploadet 2009-08-04 Publiceret 2009-08-04 Anthus richardi Richard's Pipit
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Kommentarer
Peter Sunesen
5. aug. 2009 kl. 20:20
Hi Michael, However interesting this record is.....and I have no doubt that everything in this extensive picture-info. is correct, it is not IMO a "recently fledged bird" . The photo shows what to me looks like an adult bird, apparently in active wingmoult, but it seems highly unlikely that it "was unable to fly" for reasons other than some injury or disease, as adult pipits do not become flightless during moult! A juvenile this full-grown, would of course be highly capable of flight as well.... The extremely worn tailfeathers and generally abraded plumage does not fit with a juvenile, but one puzzling detail is the yellow corners of the mouth....?? Please passerine specialists unite and throw light on this odd record.... Peter
Peter Sunesen
5. aug. 2009 kl. 20:33
Just checked more photos and the yellow corners of the mouth seem indeed to be a feature of adult R.Pipits...you learn something new all the time...to catch an adult R.Pipit with the bare hands is a remarkable stunt....if it was not injured, that is... Peter
Jan Ingvaedt Jörgensen
5. aug. 2009 kl. 21:58
Apart from what has been said on the age of this bird - the median covert pattern also confirm that this is not a bird of the year. Also explained here: http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=19801 JanJ
Michael Westerbjerg Andersen
6. aug. 2009 kl. 05:54
Thanks for comments - I really appreciate. I dont have sufficient litteraure here. I just remember when we had the bird in hand, that some of the feathers were not fully-grown hence it was considered as a juvenile. The breastband is in my mind more of juvenile than adult - faint and spotted rather than streaked... but it might not be a useful character? And white tips to secondary coverts apparently vary too? Ill change the age of bird to "?" and I appreaciate further comments - from my fellow birders too. When we examined the bird, there was no sign of injuries... Thanks/Michael
Magnus Hellström
6. aug. 2009 kl. 06:58
I fully agree with the argumentation from Peter and Jan. Additionally, there seem to be a still growing inner primary, which indicates ongoing primary moult. By July that should be reserved for adult birds. As Peter said above, a juvenile bird in July should show purely fresh juvenile body feathers (including a mantle with juvenile pattern) which isn't the case here.
Lars Rudfeld
6. aug. 2009 kl. 11:56
Without engaging myself to the discussion on the bird on the photo this discussion seems not to interfer with the actual message following the publication of the photo: the first breeding record of this species in Kyrgyzstan. The birds carrying food should be considered as sufficient evidence for breeding birds, or? At least in the Danish Atlas census'es this has been a sufficient criteria when recording breeding birds within the 5x5 sq.km grids. So from my side: congratulations with the record!
Michael Westerbjerg Andersen
6. aug. 2009 kl. 13:25
Thanks... for comments. I asked Martin Lund about his opinion as he is experienced in ringing birds and saw the bird too. His comment was focused too about the yellow at the bill base and in addition there were only a thin layer of feather/down (under the arm) basis of the axillaries ("armhulen" as he writes in Danish). Juvenile characters, but he also mentions that consulting the literature shortly after, he couldn’t fit the characters for a juvenile bird... e.g. the worn plumage. I have pictures of the wings and tail feathers if needed. Then it remains uncertain what happened with the bird; why it was unable to fly. Thanks for the comments! Michael
Peter Sunesen
7. aug. 2009 kl. 10:55
Agree with Lars that the mere photografic documentation of an adult bird in moult(hence the growing feathers), as well as additional sight-records of several adults carrying food, should certainly suffice for acceptance as a breeding record. So congratulations also from me.... No reason that Michael and the several other birders(?) are still "uncertain" of the age of this bird. The photo- beyond shadow of doubt- shows a worn adult in active primary-moult.....honestly "this is elementary, Doctor Watson" ... Only a downy nestling would be unable to fly, a juvenile with fullgrown tail would, as stated above, would since long have been airborne. The reason for the apparent flightlessness of this adult, of course remains a "mystery" (to continue the detective-lingo). Here are some possibilites and questions: 1. A falcon, or other predator, overhead might have made the bird so reluctant to fly that a human could pick it up. 2. Did the bird crouch motionlessly when it was "caught"? 3. When released did the the bird run off strongly, or did it just lie down? 4. Was the breastmusculature normal ie. was the bird of normal weight? 5. Was the bird ever seen to stand on its legs? Best regards Peter
Michael Westerbjerg Andersen
7. aug. 2009 kl. 11:48
Hi Peter, Yes its elementary Sherluck! It was quite an exaggeration of me calling it a recently fledged bird; I of course meant a 1.k bird. I agree with the term "adult" is ok, but bear in mind Martins comments about the juvenile characters. Im not sure that the knowledgde about Richard's is that overwhelming. Best regards Michael
Peter Sunesen
9. aug. 2009 kl. 00:04
Hi Michael, "I of course meant a 1.k.bird" In July a 1.k bird would still be in its juvenile plumage. Consequently it makes no sense to describe this bird as anything else but 2.k or adult. Amazing that a licenced ringer was not able to sort this out..... All the best Peter
Michael Westerbjerg Andersen
10. aug. 2009 kl. 00:20
Peter, What is so amazing for You: "Amazing that a licenced ringer was not able to sort this out....." Could You be so kind and explain why You offend in that way - my mail: michaelwandersen@hotmail.com Michael

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