This American/Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens ssp. was photographed in Port Aransas, Nueces County, Texas on March 07, 2010; note: the very pale legs, white wing bars; almost-solid black malar patch (which may be affected by the commencement of the Prealternate Molt); thick and extensive streaking continuing well down the flanks (but some flank feathers are undergoing replacment in the Prealternate Molt); brownish tone to the streaked upperparts, with a warm flank wash that contrasts with the remaining white underparts (but some/all of this color may be due to fresher alternate feathers - ?) - all these features are more like japonicus than the New World forms... Click here to see some photos of Siberian Pipits:
