Olive-backed Pipit

Scientific Name: Anthus hodgsoni
Malay Name: Apit-apit Pokok Timur
Chinese Name: 树鹨

Range:
Found in Siberia, Mongolia, China to Japan and winters to Indian subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: hodgsoni, yunnanensis

Local Subspecies: hodgsoni?

Size: 16-17 cm

Identification: Resembles Red-throated Pipit but has plain greenish-olive upperparts, broad whitish supercilium and lacks the pinkish-red head-sides and throat.

Similar looking species: Red-throated Pipit

Habitat: Wooded area.

Behaviour/Ecology: Eats mainly insects, but takes some seeds, especially outside the nesting season. Forages on the ground or in low trees.

Local Status: Very rare migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Location: Only one confirmed record at Bidadari in December 2010.

Photos:

Olive-backed Pipit at Bidadari on December 2010. Photo Credit: Mark G

Olive-backed Pipit at Thailand. Photo credit: Daniel Koh aka Hiker

Olive-backed Pipit at Thailand. Photo credit: Myron Tay

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

Reference:
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia
David Wells (2007) The Birds of Thai-Malay Peninsula, Volume 2
Per Alstrom, Krister Mild and Bill Zetterstrom (2003) Pipits and Wagtails of Europe, Asia and North America