The Siberian pipit (Anthus japonicus), also known as the Japanese pipit and formerly known as the Buff-bellied pipit, is a species of songbird in the genus Anthus. It was split from the American pipit in 2024 by both the IOC and Clements checklist. It is found in East Asia.

Siberian pipit
Adult seen in Japan
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Anthus
Species:
A. japonicus
Binomial name
Anthus japonicus
(Temminck & Schlegel, 1847)

Taxonomy

edit

The Siberian pipit was first described by Coenraad Jacob Temminck and Hermann Schlegel in 1847 based on a specimen from Japan, initially considering it a subspecies of Meadow pipit.[2] It was formerly considered conspecific with both the Water pipit and Rock pipit, before being split into the Buff-bellied pipit alongside the American pipit. The differences between the two have long been noted, and are most pronounced in their non-breeding plumages. A study published in 2023 found that divergence between the Siberian pipit and the American pipit was at a level typical for species divergence in pipits.[3] The study also found differences in songs between the two, and recommended that the two be split.[3] This recommendation was followed by both the IOC and Clements checklist in 2024.[4]

Behaviour

edit

The Siberian pipit is migratory. Breeding in Siberia and Northern Japan and China. Wintering mainly from Pakistan east to and Southeast Asia, with occasional birds found as far north as Yunnan and some in Japan apparently being all-year residents or migrating but a little.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2019) [amended version of 2018 assessment]. "Anthus rubescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22718575A155437845. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22718575A155437845.en. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Siberian Pipit". Avibase. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b Doniol-Valcroze, Paul; Coiffard, Paul; Alström, Per; Robb, Magnus Steward (September 2023). "Molecular and acoustic evidence support the species status of Anthus rubescens rubescens and Anthus [rubescens] japonicus (Passeriformes: Motacillidae)". Zootaxa. 5343 (2): 173–192. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5343.2.4. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Proposed Splits/Lumps". IOC World Bird List v14.2. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
edit