PIPITS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

Yellow-breasted Geelborskoester Hemimacronyx chloris Plate 7, p. 111

An uncommon and localized endemic to Type specimen from Likwa (=Vaal) River high-lying grasslands associated with the and Modder River, Free State, vide Drakensberg system of South Africa, Lesotho Stresemann 1954. Ann. Mus. Roy. Cong. Belg., and western Swaziland, the Yellow-breasted new ser. In 4, Zool. 1:81. Although originally Pipit is highly sought-after by both local and placed in the same genus as all other international birders. Further enhancing the treated in this book (apart from the Golden ’s mystery is its secretive habits and lim- Pipit Tmetothylacus), Roberts, 1922, Ann. ited range. Seeing a Yellow-breasted Pipit Trans. Mus. 8:258, placed this species in a new may require spending hours in cold, misty, genus, Hemimacronyx. The original genus of windswept grasslands, but when this bright- Anthus is still retained in many contemporary ly coloured pipit eventually erupts from the books and field guides but the Yellow-breast- grass, the reward is well worth the effort! ed Pipit is here treated under Hemimacronyx. The taxonomic affinities of this species Detailed arguments for this decision are pre- remains under investigation and it is here sented elsewhere in this book. placed in a different genus than in most con- Some of the unique characters of temporary field guides (see comments under Hemimacronyx as opposed to Anthus include Synonyms). Unlike Anthus pipits it shows the bright ventral colouration (including clear seasonal plumage variation, with a dis- underwings), dappled (rather than streaked) tinct non-breeding and breeding plumage. upperparts, long, pointed undertail-coverts, Sexual dimorphism (although not striking) is poorly developed rictal bristles and longer 5th also more pronounced in this species. primary. The Yellow-breasted Pipit was the type species of Roberts’ genus Hemimacronyx, Synonyms: Originally Anthus chloris but Clancey (1990) also included the ‘Kenyan Lichtenstein, 1842. Verz. Samml. Kaffernl. p13. Yellow-breasted Pipit’ Hemimacronyx sharpei

Top identification features: Breeding plumage Clear yellow underparts Yellow underwing-coverts Breast indistinctly streaked or plain High altitude grasslands (>15000m) Clearly scalloped upperparts Fluttering display flight: tseeu-chick song Plain, greyish or brown hind-neck Secretive and difficult to flush White outer rectrices Similar to African Pipit in size and shape Top identification features: Non-breeding plumage Bright yellow spot on lower belly White, buff or rich brown below Yellow underwing-coverts (visible in flight) White outer rectrices Saturated, dark brown upperparts & crown Similar to African Pipit in size and shape Weakly streaked darker breast band Secretive, with creeping posture Very dark, scalloped, -like mantle Characteristic calls

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