Buffy pipit

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Buffy pipit
At Mountain Zebra NP, South Africa

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

The buffy pipit (Anthus vaalensis) is a species of bird in the

least concern
.

Taxonomy

This species was described by English naturalist

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, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, 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

least concern.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22718489A131984595.en
    . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  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. ^ a b c 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. ^
    ISBN 9781770072435.[permanent dead link
    ]
  5. ^ a b c d P. A. Clancey. "Buffy Pipit" (PDF). The Atlas of Southern African Birds.
  6. ^
    ISBN 9781400874170
    .
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