Anthus brachyurus
Records: 2
Drafted by: Faansie Peacock
Draft Text Last Updated:
Reviewed: Etienne Marais
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Distribution: One bird was seen displaying in Nov and Dec 2003
approximately 40km NE of Bronkhorstspruit,
representing the first record for
Gaps in Knowledge: Although widespread local extinctions have occurred in Gauteng and the North West Province, this inconspicuous and diminutive Pipit is almost surely under-reported, and quite possibly persists in small populations in isolated grasslands on the Magaliesberg and further E. Birders should visit potential habitat in early to mid summer, and listen for aerially displaying birds just before dawn. This species is notoriously difficult to identify and extensive field notes of any further sightings should be taken.
Habitat: It was present in lush and green, but rather short and open grassland, possibly regenerating after being burnt during the winter. Microhabitat consisted of patchy, tussocky grasses, interspersed with forbs and wild flowers, on rocky soils. This was on gentle SW facing slopes at approximately 1600m altitude. Observations made a year later showed that the habitat had changed somewhat and was unlikely to still be suitable for this species (long grass).
Status and movements: Subsequent searches were unsuccessful in locating the Pipits, and the birds probably vacated the area when grass cover increased. Short-tailed Pipit movements are complicated and poorly understood, but probably involves a fair degree of nomadism. Such movements would be tied to veld conditions, with the fire regime playing a particularly important role in habitat choice.
Population: The bird performed short (< 2min), pre-dawn display flights by flying in a circle of approximately 60m radius at a height of 8 – 20m while giving well spaced, buzzy, nasal notes. This display flight probably indicated that the bird was a male holding a territory and possibly that more birds were present and that they were breeding in the area.
Conservation: During the Atlas period it was reported from only 10 grid cells, with the nearest locality to the PCC region being the Wakkerstroom area. It is classified as Vulnerable, with a total South African population of <3000 birds (Barnes 2000). Due to the sensitive nature of this species, we implore birders to exercise extreme discretion if this species is encountered.