Drakensberg Rockjumper
Chaetops aurantius
Rocky grasslands. Rump and upper-tail coverts orange; below orange lower breast; paler towards belly.
NT
Endemic
Description
Common, localised endemic resident. Both sexes are paler than [Cape Rockjumper] but are identical in all other ways. Range does not overlap with that of Cape Rockjumper. Pairs or small parties occur in the mountains of Lesotho and surroundings in boulder-strewn grasslands, mainly above 2 000 m; range is north of [Cape Rockjumper]. Best located by piercing whistled calls, very similar to Cape Rockjumper. Often appears unexpectedly behind boulders, just to vanish again and reappear some way off.
Quick Facts
Size
21 cm - M
Names
A: Oranjeborsberglyster
Z: unogxumetsheni
Ss: Modisadipela
G: Natal-Felsenspringer
Bird Family
Largely terrestrial, insectivorous or frugivorous birds that sing from trees, some robins rating as among our finest songsters. The sexes are alike unless otherwise stated, while immatures usually have the feathers of the upperparts pale-edged, the underparts spotted.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Pairs or small parties occur in the mountains of Lesotho and surroundings in boulder-strewn 'grassland's, mainly above 2 000 m; range is north of [Cape Rockjumper].
