Pangani Longclaw
Macronyx aurantiigula
A large and relatively colorful member of the pipit family with a black necklace, a yellow-orange throat, a yellow breast, and whitish sides with long streaks. The white corners of the dark tail are conspicuous during its weak, fluttering flight. Found in grassland with some bushes and trees. Similar to Yellow-throated Longclaw, though there is only minor overlap in range; orange-throated birds are easily identified, but some individuals have a yellow throat, and these can be separated by their paler and much more heavily streaked flanks. Brownish immatures can be confused with pipits, but are larger and more robust. Not very vocal, but gives a high-pitched whistle and a simple song of doubled phrases.
Identification
The Pangani longclaw measures around 20 cm (8 in) in length. As its species name suggests, it has a yellow-orange throat. This is bordered with a black necklace. The upperparts are mottled various shades of brown, and the belly is yellow. In immature birds, the belly is more buff than yellow and the dark breast band less distinct. The flanks are streaked black and buff. The flight is jerky. The call has been described as a high-pitched siuuweeeee, with a pitch that rises, falls then rises before fading away.<p>Its more orange throat helps distinguish it from the yellow-throated longclaw and Abyssinian longclaw, however the throats of female and older immature Pangani longclaws can be more yellow. The last species is also found further north in the Horn of Africa in Ethiopia.<p>A predominantly ground-dwelling bird, the Pangani longclaw inhabits grasslands, to an altitude of 1800 m (5500 ft).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Macronyx aurantiigula
- Authority
- Reichenow, 1891
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Macronyx
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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