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Cape Longclaw
Afrikaans name: Oranjekeelkalkoentjie
The Cape Longclaw used to be called the Orange-throated Longclaw
Photo © Steven Herbert
Macronyx capensis
Many people know this bird by its older name of Orange-throated Longclaw. Longclaws are related to pipits and wagtails.
The Cape Longclaw is endemic to southern Africa. It occurs across most of the eastern and southern regions of South Africa and in the higher areas of Zimbabwe.
This species is found in grassland at a variety of altitudes but normally near water. The bright orange throat is not always so easy to spot as the bird has a habit of keeping its drab brown back pointed in your direction.
The female is a bit plainer with a yellowish-orange throat.
Photo © Steven Herbert
The Cape Longclaw feeds on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers and termite alates which it finds by patrolling the grassland, often in pairs. They also eat seeds.
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 78Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 98
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 196
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 76
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 186
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 413
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 637
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 635
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 382