Rosy-throated Longclaw

The Rosy-throated Longclaw, or Rosy-breasted Longclaw, is a charming bird with a distinctive appearance. Adult specimens measure between 19 to 20 centimeters in length, and they exhibit greyish-brown scalloped plumage on their upper parts, which provides excellent camouflage against the grassy landscapes they inhabit.

Identification Tips

Males are particularly striking during the breeding season with their vivid pink throat and breast, which is boldly offset by a broad black band across the chest. This band fades outside of the breeding season, making them slightly less conspicuous. Females, while also sporting pink underparts, do not have the black band. The immature birds can be identified by their mainly black-streaked pale brown underparts, with a hint of pink-red centrally.

Habitat

The Rosy-throated Longclaw is typically found in subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grasslands. These environments often feature shorter grasses, which are ideal for this species.

Distribution

This bird has a wide range across central and eastern Africa, with more patchy distribution in the southern parts of the continent. Notable locations include the Okavango Delta, Linyanti Marshes, and Chobe floodplains in Botswana and Namibia, the Zimbabwe highveld, and coastal areas in Kwazulu-Natal.

Behaviour

The Rosy-throated Longclaw is a bird that is intimately connected with wet grasslands and flood plains. It breeds during the wet season, which spans from September to April, timing its reproductive cycle with the abundance of resources provided by this period.

Song & Calls

The call of the Rosy-throated Longclaw is a distinctive "chiteet," reminiscent of the sounds made by pipits, adding a melodic layer to its grassland habitat.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in the wet season, with the Rosy-throated Longclaw taking full advantage of the lush conditions to raise its young.

Conservation status

The Rosy-throated Longclaw is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, its occurrence in Kwazulu-Natal is under threat due to coastal development, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts.