Olive-backed Pipit

Anthus hodgsoni

Family: Wagtails and Pipits · Status: Vagrant · Size: 16–17 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds in Siberia, Mongolia, and China to Japan; winters to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, Indochina, the northern part of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, northern Borneo, and the Philippines.

Identification

Adult has plain olive upperparts, broad buff supercilium with black border, black malar stripe, and bold black streaking on a buff-white breast and flanks; bill dark with a pink base, legs pale pink. Differs from Red-throated Pipit in its greener upperparts, more distinct supercilium, less distinct streaking on mantle. Compared to Tree Pipit, has greener upperparts, and more contrasting face pattern with a distinct supercilium.

Habitat

Wooded areas, parks, and gardens. Unlikely to be observed in large open grasslands away from trees, where Paddyfield and Red-throated Pipit are more likely.

Behaviour

Forages on the ground close to cover; when flushed, flies into trees.