Buff-bellied Pipit (Non-breeding plumage)
Buff-bellied Pipit
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Anthus rubescens japonicus
Arabic Name 
الجشنة كدراء الصدر
Kuwaiti name 
بصوة
Length 
15.5 cm
Least Concern
Kuwait Specialty
Similar species 

Information

Rare irregular visitor. Recorded sporadically in winter, but also in late autumn and early spring. This is a close relative of the Water Pipit, with which it shares similar plumage; it may also resemble an Olive-backed Pipit. Careful observation is required to confirm identification in the field.
Where in Kuwait 
Perhaps overlooked in the past, but has been recorded at Jahra East Outfall, Al Abraq and Sulaibiya Farms.
In the world 
It has an extremely large range and has undergone a small or statistically insignificant decrease over the last 40 years in North America. It is is a small songbird found on both sides of the northern Pacific and was formerly classified as a form of the Water Pipit. It has two distinctive subspecies, both of which are migratory, but morphological and DNA sequence differences between them are rather pronounced and they might be considered distinct species pending further research; A. r. rubescens, American Pipit – breeds in northern North America, extending further south in mountainous areas. A. r. japonicus, Japanese Pipit or Siberian Pipit – breeds in most of eastern temperate Asia (including Japan) and winter mainly from Pakistan east to and Southeast Asia.
Local threats 
Habitat loss and degradation and pesticides.