Thrush?

[rscott74]

This was taken 2 weeks ago in fields to the east of Hetton le Hole. I think it might be a juvenile thrush as it doesn't fit with the adult pictures I've examined. Can anyone assist please. Thanks.

[rscott74]

Just thought - could it be a Sky Lark?

[Johnny81]

Looks more like a pipit to me.

[Shrike]

perching high on the treetop says tree pipit to me

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Shrike

perching high on the treetop says tree pipit to me

Why? Meadow Pipits (which I'm pretty sure this is) will regularly perch on trees in open country. This bird is perched on an Elder so is a large shrub at best so not that tall.

[Johnny81]

I'd guess it's probably impossible or really tricky to get this to species level, but I have little experience with pipits (in my area) apart from one species in Tenerife which was suprisingly tame

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Why? Meadow Pipits (which I'm pretty sure this is) will regularly perch on trees in open country. This bird is perched on an Elder so is a large shrub at best so not that tall.

ok then the plainer flanks coupled with the typical tree pipit perch on the top of a tree or shrub say tree pipit to me

[tigertom]

The rarther stong looking bill pinkish toward base and plain looking flanks would lean me towards tree pipit, rather than juv meddow pipit wich dos have plainer flanks than the adult
MIKE

[RoyW]

I;m with Aeshna5 on this one - I think that this is a Meadow Pipit (and I agree that the fact that it is perched on a bush is of no use in an identification - sorry Shrike!).

Johnny81 is correct to say that it is tricky to get this to species level though.
Plumage features are variable in both Meadow and Tree Pipit, and difficult to assess properly from a single photo - especially as this bird seems to be in moult, and with the flank feathers out of place (because of the wind?).
The bill doesn't look at all heavy to me, and seems well within the norm for Meadow Pipit (as does the very plain face, and most other plumage features). Not all Meadow Pipits have heavily streaked flanks, and any streaking that is present may not be properly visible in this photo.

[Johnny81]

I guess the only way to be 100% would be in the song/call (obviously discounting DNA), would you agree you could never be truly 100% with these just from observations (like with willow warblers and chiffchaffs)?