African Pipit

Afrikaans name: Gewone Koester

African Pipit

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anthus cinnamomeus

This Pipit has been through a number of name changes in recent years. I first knew it as Richard's Pipit, then it became the Grassveld Pipit and it is now called the African Pipit. Even its scientific name got changed from Anthus novaeseelandiae to Anthus cinnamomeus.

No matter what you call this Pipit it is probably the most common and widely distributed Pipit in South Africa.

The African Pipit is most common in open areas of grassland and savanna. It also likes sports fields, air fields and other nicely mowed areas. When driving in game parks and nature reserves they can often be seen on the dirt roads.

Their main food is insects but they do also eat some seeds.

The African Pipit in spring or summer, depending which part of the country it is in They hide their nests in shrubs and the female lays 2 to 4 eggs. Both parents are involved in rearing the chicks.

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 59

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 60

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 144

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 40

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 291

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 121

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 12

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 13

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 352

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 386

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 625

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 626

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 491

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 288

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 478

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 92

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 288

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 104

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 272

Identification of the Pipits of Southern Africa - Author: Faansie Peacock - Published: 0 - Page: 6

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 184

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 186

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 75

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 36

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 224

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 105

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 195

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 95

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 152

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 241

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 261

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List of South African Birds