Buffy pipit

The buffy pipit (Anthus vaalensis) is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family. It is found in plains and open countryside in southern and eastern Africa. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of least concern.

Buffy pipit

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Anthus
Species:
A. vaalensis
Binomial name
Anthus vaalensis
Shelley, 1900

Taxonomy

This species was described by English naturalist George Ernest Shelley in 1900. The IOC World Bird List recognises five subspecies: A. v. chobiensis in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, southwestern Tanzania, northeastern Namibia, northern Botswana, Zimbabwe and western Mozambique; A. v. neumanni in central Angola; A. v. namibicus in northeastern and central Namibia; A. v. exasperatus in northeastern Botswana; and A. v. vaalensis in southern Botswana and South Africa. A. longicaudatus is an invalid taxon and is included in A. vaalensis.[2] Some authors include subspecies saphiroi and goodsoni of the plain-backed pipit (Anthus leucophrys) in this species.[3]

Description

Its length is 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in),[4] and its weight is 23–36.6 g (0.81–1.29 oz).[3] It is often confused with the plain-backed pipit because both species have plain upperparts.[5] The upperparts of the buffy pipit are paler and buffier than the plain-backed pipit. The buffy pipit has a pale supercilium, and its lower mandible has a pinkish base.[6] It has faint markings on the breast, and the belly and flanks are buffy. The juvenile has mottles.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The buffy pipit is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with a distribution size estimated at 5,660,000 km2 (2,190,000 sq mi).[1] Its habitat is semi-arid plains with grasses and bare ground.[6] It also occurs in pastures, burnt fields, and edges of saltpans.[5]

Behaviour

One or two individuals are usually encountered, but flocks may be found in winter.[5] It frequently wags its tail.[6] Its song is a repeated tchreep-churup, and the call sshik is given when the bird is flushed.[4] It eats invertebrates and seeds.[3] Breeding has been recorded from July to February in Zimbabwe and August to December in South Africa.[5] The nest is an open cup built on the ground.[6]

Status

The population size is not known. The species has an increasing population trend and a large range, so the IUCN Red List has assessed the species as least concern.[1]

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Anthus vaalensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22718489A94583463. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22718489A94583463.en.
  2. Gill, F.; Donsker, D. (eds.). "Waxbills, parrotfinches, munias, whydahs, Olive Warbler, accentors & pipits". IOC World Bird List Version 6.4. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  3. Tyler, S. (2016). "Buffy Pipit (Anthus vaalensis)". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D. A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive.
  4. Sinclair, Ian; Hockey, P. A. R. (2005). The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. Struik. p. 366. ISBN 9781770072435.
  5. P. A. Clancey. "Buffy Pipit" (PDF). The Atlas of Southern African Birds.
  6. Hancock, Peter; Weiersbye, Ingrid (2015). Birds of Botswana. Princeton University Press. p. 370. ISBN 9781400874170.
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