Other Information
SE
Arizona Rare
Bird Alert
(520) 798-1005
Report
Rare Birds
(520) 798-1005
Email
a report
Nature Shop
(520) 629-0510
Agua Caliente Shop
(520) 760-7881
Mason Audubon
Center
(520) 744-0004
Membership
(520) 629-0757
AZ IBA Program
(520) 628-1730
Education Program
(520) 622-2230
Habitat Restoration
(520) 206-9900
Development
(520) 622-5622
Executive Director
(520) 622-5622
|
Birding home | Access updates | RBA | Dastardly Duos | AZ/NM listserv | Tucson area |
Tucson Audubon Society
Dastardly Duos
American and Sprague's Pipits
by Larry Liese
Illustrations by George C. West
(First appeared in the November 2001 Vermilion Flycatcher newsletter;
you can receive the Vermilion Flycatcher newsletter, become a member of
the Friends of Tucson Audubon)
 |
There’s a dastardly pair that fits our present season, the first one that I personally have not yet succeeded in seeing: Anthus spragueii, Sprague’s Pipit and its more common cogenitor Anthus rubescens, American Pipit. The American Pipit is a common transient and winter visitor, found in moist areas and plowed fields. The much harder-to-find Sprague’s Pipit is a rare and local winter visitor to dense grasslands, particularly the San Rafael grasslands (or so they say). Though these habitat types are quite distinct and the two species would not be seen together, perhaps these hints may help some readers (and myself) find the elusive Sprague’s.
Differences between these two lie in both field marks and behavior. Though similar in body shape, there are many observable differences in color pattern. The American Pipit has dark auricular (ear) patches and an “eyebrowed” appearance while the Sprague’s has a pale unmarked buffy face that makes the dark eye conspicuous and recognizable at great distances (we’ll see!). The face will not contrast distinctly with the throat area on the Sprague’s but will on the American. Upper parts are different: the Sprague’s Pipit’s are buffy-brown with broad blackish streaking (scaly on juvenile), while the American’s are more uniform grayish or brown. Sprague’s Pipits have black streaks on the crown while American Pipits’ crowns are not streaked. The leg color is different but a source of possible misidentification, so be careful. Sprague’s have yellowish to pinkish-brown legs while American’s have dark legs but can vary greatly.
The American Pipit gathers in flocks and is usually bobbing its tail constantly. Sprague’s Pipit is a solitary bird and does not bob its shorter tail, and it walks on the ground among tall grass. Since Sprague’s Pipit is somewhat famous for its habit of flying high and diving steeply for cover when flushed, this is probably the first clue to look for. Also, listen for its loud squeaky “squeet” flight call, often repeated. In flight, look for a more extensive white area in the outer tail feathers when compared to the American, and also look for a fine set of streaks forming a narrow necklace.
It would be good practice to get familiar with how an American Pipit appears when flying before attempting a concerted Sprague’s target outing. Well, I’m ready. How about you?
Bird questions? Check Birding | General questions? Contact: Tucson Audubon Society | Webmaster: Email
This page was updated on 02/21/06