Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
Small and very elegant falcon, with white throat and rufous thighs (adults). Long, narrow wings and medium long tail. Dark grey above and heavily streaked below. Head dark, with marked facial pattern resembling Peregrine. Tail often looks slightly wedge-shaped. Impressive speed of flight, with acrobatic skills when hunting. Often hunts flying birds high in the air. Slower flight action when hunting insects. Will glide, but seldom hovers (as opposed to Red-footed Falcon). Perched birds shows wing-tips reaching end of tail.
Sound:Varied, but not very vocal. Calls when courting and at breeding ground. Most common sound a high-pitched "tew-tew-tew". Similar to Wryneck, but less pleading. Also a sneezing "ktcho".
Call:
Distribution:
Xeno-canto: map
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCCC-photo:markkilner, Licence,Link,
Sounds:Recorded by Harry Lehte,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license
Streaking on flanks just as heavy as that on chest (see Tree Pipit). Legs pinkish. Hind toe long and almost straight. Bill slender with yellowish base. Rump unstreaked. Jerky flight pattern. Generally a featureless bird, and is easily confused with other pipits. Best identified by sound.
Sound:Contact call a short "eest". Similar to Rock Pipit but shorter,cleaner and most often in quick series. Song very similar to Rock Pipit, but tone less full and more brittle. Lacks Rock Pipit's closing trill, and beginning is less "hammering". Warning call a sharp, high pitched "tzeet". Also a rattling "trrrrt".
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CC