Cape Longclaw

Macronyx capensis

Grasslands. Orange throat with black border; underparts yellow; above grey-brown.

Longclaws, Pipits, Wagtails

Endemic

Description

Common endemic resident. Orange throat with black surround is diagnostic of adult. Immature’s throat may be same colour as underparts; then distinguished from [Yellow-throated Longclaw] by deeper yellow coloration and buff (not yellow) edges to wing-feathers. Normal call is a mewing ‘me-yew’; also a far-reaching whistle. Occurs singly or in pairs in grassland. Often momentarily stands upright on a grass tuft, stone or anthill. If disturbed, flies a short distance, uttering its characteristic call and showing off its broad, white-tipped tail.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Small, insectivorous terrestrial birds, water-associated in wagtails. The sexes are alike or closely similar, all with white or buff outer tail-feathers. Pipits are among the most difficult birds to identify in the field. Reliable identification relies on careful observation of the coloration of bare parts (influenced by blood circulation), as well as proportions, calls, tail-wagging, behaviour and subtle plumage differences. Nevertheless, it is often impossible to confidently identify pipits to species level. Most pipits utter a ‘chissik' or ‘chip' call on take-off, their flight low and dipping. Longclaws are large, colourful pipits, while wagtails are mostly well known because of their confiding and friendly behaviour. Wagtails (and many pipits) have the habit of continually bobbing their tails up and down.