Fülleborn's Longclaw
Macronyx fuelleborni
A large pipit-like bird with a golden-yellow throat and eyebrow emphasized by a circular broad black necklace and pumpkin-buff-colored belly and vent. The upperparts are subdued plain gray-brown and the outer tail corners are white, a key feature in flight. Pairs occupy upland grassland, dambos (seasonally flooded wetlands), and grassy savanna, especially close to water. It often perches up singing a strongly whistled “tu-wee-ti-chuuu” and variations thereof. The larger Yellow-throated Longclaw differs from Fülleborn's Longclaw by having a brighter yellow belly and vent, streakier head and neck, and distinct black streaking on the breast below the black necklace.
Identification
Fülleborn's longclaw is similar to the yellow-throated longclaw but it is slightly smaller, stockier and lacks the streaking on the breast. It has a yellow throat surrounded by a black band when adult and the yellow on the throat is duller in juveniles which also do not have the surrounding black band and have some indistinct streaks on the breast, but this is much less in extend than in related species.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies of Fülleborn's longclaw are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Macronyx fuelleborni
- Authority
- Reichenow, 1900
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Macronyx
Range and habitat
Fülleborn's longclaw is found in western central Africa from south western Tanzania to Angola and the extreme north of Namibia, where it is a vagrant. Fülleborn's longclaw is found in wet gassy areas, frequently in the vicinity of water and normally above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) in altitude. It is largely insectivorous and feeds on mainly on grasshoppers and beetles as well as termites and spiders. It nests on the ground during the rainy season.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Fülleborn's longclaw has a wide distribution and large population so Birdlife International and the IUCN classify it as Least Concern.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-billed Kingfisher
Syma torotoro
Small green kingfisher with orange head and bright yellow bill, found in wet rainforest on Cape York Peninsula and in New Guinea. In flight, note uniformly colored wings (no wing spots). Adult female has small black cap. Juvenile similar to adult but with black bill. Call a rolling, descending trill, rather like call of Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
Virginia's Warbler
Leiothlypis virginiae
A mostly gray warbler with yellow undertail coverts and a thin white eyering. All but the dullest immatures show a yellow patch on the breast. Breeds in open woodlands with dense understory, especially mixed piñon-juniper and oak on steep slopes. Winters in western Mexico, where it prefers dense thickets and brushy habitat. Listen for sweet two- or three-parted warble. Compare with Nashville Warbler, but Virginia’s is always duller gray, especially on the back and wings.
Blakiston's Fish-Owl
Ketupa blakistoni
Massive pale brown owl with plump, rounded ear tufts. An endangered species, found in mature boreal forests near streams where there are tree cavities suitable for nesting. Preys mostly on fish. Distinguished from Eurasian Eagle-Owl by absence of broad black streaks on breast and rounder, thicker ear tufts that are not held erect. Deep, resonant song, given in duet by pair. Duet consists of three notes, with the first two notes from a male and a third from a female. The lower-pitched female note partially overlaps with the second male note.
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