Abstract:
Check of morphological differences to define the sex of the Water pipit Anthus spinoletta
To investigate morphological differences between the sexes of the Water pipit Anthus spinoletta, 351 of 691 data sets dealing with wing length and partial feather length were evaluated based on the criteria of the Ornithological Station Sempach. 282 individuals (80%) were thus classified as males and 65 (19%) as females. For four pipits, no sex could be defined.
The result of this investigation confirms other authors that found separate winter grounds for both sexes. Male water pipits appear to winter predominantly north of the Alps.
