African Pipit
Anthus cinnamomeus
The default pipit across much of Africa. Brown above and pale below, with a streaked back, well-marked face, and white outer tail feathers. There is considerable geographic variation, from pale and sandy to rich brown and rufous. Found in a variety of open and usually grassy habitats, both near water and in dry areas. Call is a sneezing “tzsht”. Song comprises consecutive series of rattles, given in flight. Very similar to other pipits; some of the key features to look for include the yellow base of the bill, streaked back, and white outer tail feathers.
Identification
The African pipit is 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) long and is a slender bird with an erect stance. It is buffy-brown above with darker streaks. The underparts are white or pale buff with a streaked breast and plain belly and flanks. The face is boldly patterned with a pale stripe over the eye and a dark malar stripe. The outer tail-feathers are white. The legs are long and pinkish and the slender bill is dark with a yellowish base to the lower mandible. Juvenile birds have a blotched breast, scalloping on the upperparts and some streaking on the flanks.<p>The song is a repeated series of twittering notes, given during an undulating song-flight or from a low perch.<p>The Cameroon pipit is slightly larger and darker with buff underparts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anthus cinnamomeus
- Authority
- Rüppell, 1840
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
Range and habitat
It occurs in grassland and fields in Southern, Central and East Africa, south-east of a line from Angola through the DRCongo to Sudan. It is also found in south-western Arabia. There is an isolated population in the highlands of Cameroon which is sometimes considered to be a separate species: Cameroon pipit (Anthus camaroonensis).
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
Zimmerman, Turner, and Pearson (1999) call it "the common East African pipit", but BirdLife International has lumped the African pipit with Richard's pipit, and therefore has given it no separate conservation status.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Gray Thrasher
Toxostoma cinereum
Fairly large and long-tailed songbird found only in Baja California peninsula. Favors deserts with cactus, but also in adjacent scrubby woodland, thickets, and gardens. Feeds mainly on the ground, where runs well. Feeds less often in fruiting trees and bushes. Note the fairly long, slightly arched bill, golden eyes, and boldly spotted breast. Cactus Wren occurs in same areas and looks rather similar but is slightly smaller with white eyebrow, shorter bill, dark eyes, boldly barred tail, and different voice. Also note similar migrant Sage Thrasher, which is smaller, with smaller bill.

Ochre-lored Flatbill
Tolmomyias flaviventris
Small, yellowish-olive flycatcher that ranges mainly in northern and eastern South America as well eastern Panama. Distinguishing features include its yellow throat and breast, orange face, thick wingbars, and wide bill. Similar to Olive-faced Flycatcher, which used to be considered the same species and called Yellow-breasted Flycatcher. Note their different ranges, which mostly do not overlap. Ochre-lored Flycatcher has a brighter face with a hint of orange, more distinct wingbars, and has a different voice. Its most common call is a piercing whistle given alone or in a slow series. Occasionally also gives well-spaced rasping calls. Inhabits secondary forest and light woodland, usually avoiding the interior of mature forest.

Red-faced Crombec
Sylvietta whytii
Small and virtually tailless warbler with a gray back and rufous underparts. The face is completely rufous, giving it an “open” impression. Found in a variety of savanna and woodland habitat, though mostly in Miombo in the southern part of its range. The song varies geographically: can be a soft warble or a trill. The call is a short, fast, wooden rattle. Northern and Long-billed Crombecs can look similar, but Red-faced is separated by its lack of an eye stripe.
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