Juvenile Blyth’s Pipit or Paddyfield Pipit?

“Many of us observed a Blyth’s Pipit (Anthus godlewskii) at this site in last year (rare migrant). I saw the bird on 2nd January 2017 and so was on the lookout again.

“I spotted this odd juvenile/immature bird among the Paddyfield Pipits. There is some gape still present and the bird is in moult but it was feeding independently. There were other juvenile Paddyfield Pipits (Anthus rufulus malayensis) around but I had no doubt about their ID. What caught my eye was the pattern of the median coverts. See this excellent write up by David Bakewell. 

“The pattern of the median coverts on this bird suggests a diamond shape with whitish edges. The bill looks appropriate and the crown adequately streaked but the lores are not pale enough. I am very cautious as the bird is still young and it could just be moulting changes and I’d expect an adult to migrate earlier.
“Appreciate any opinions.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malauysia
4th September 2017

Location: Malim Nawar, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Ex-mining pools, fish farming, wetlands