Plain-backed Pipit
Anthus leucophrys
Large pipit with buffy outer tail feathers and a plain or very diffusely streaked back. Found in open areas with very short grass and also sometimes in agricultural fields. Call is a scratchy “tchit”. Song is a series of high then low notes, like a question that is being answered over and over. Often sings from the ground. Extremely similar to Buffy Pipit but separated by the yellowish rather than pink base to the bill.
Identification
The plain-backed pipit or plain pipit (Anthus leucophrys) is a medium-sized passerine bird which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is found in open habitats, especially short grassland and cultivation. It builds its cup-shaped nest on the ground and usually lays three eggs. Like other pipits, this species is insectivorous. The plain-backed pipit is a large pipit at 17 cm, but is otherwise an undistinguished looking species, faintly streaked grey-brown above and pale below with light breast streaking. It has a strong white supercilium, and dark moustachial stripes. It has long legs and tail, and a long dark bill. Sexes are similar, but juveniles have warmer brown upperparts. Some care must be taken to distinguish this species from wintering tawny pipits, Anthus campestris. The plain-backed pipit is sturdier and darker than the Tawny, and stands more upright. Perhaps the best distinction is the characteristic "ssissik" call, quite different from the tawny pipit's "tchilip".
Taxonomy
Genus: Anthus; Family: Motacillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Anthus leucophrys
- Authority
- Vieillot, 1818
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Genus
- Anthus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Slaty Bunting
Emberiza siemsseni
A small bunting of montane areas. During the breeding season, restricted to areas primarily between 1,500 and 2,100 meters above sea level; moves lower during the winter, but still tends to prefer valleys in mountainous and hilly areas. Both sexes are distinctive within their range and habitat; male is grayish blue with a white belly, while the female is brown overall with a paler belly and a dirty-orange head.
Black-headed Weaver
Ploceus melanocephalus
Medium-sized weaver. Breeding males are striking with a black face and neck and a dark brown iris that contrasts with its yellow body. Female and nonbreeding male similar with a yellow breast and white belly. Usually found in marshy areas with tall grass. Builds a basket nest, woven together with grass and sticks that hangs from trees. Territorial males give a squeaking, wheezing song. Native to central, western, and northwestern Africa; introduced to the Iberian Peninsula.
Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Merops nubicus
Large and gorgeous bee-eater with a mostly carmine body, and blue-green head and belly. The central tail feathers are elongated. In flight, reveals a blue-green rump, and rosy underwings with black trailing edge. Found in a variety of savanna habitats. Usually in flocks, and breeds colonially in riverbanks. Often perches on the backs of mammals and large birds, catching the insects that they disturb. The call is low-pitched and raspy, less musical than most bee-eaters. Similar to Southern Carmine Bee-eater, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and easily separated by the blue-green rather than carmine throat.
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