Yellow-breasted Pipit

Hemimacronyx chloris

Records: 1

 

Drafted by: Faansie Peacock

Draft Text Last Updated: 14 June 2005

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Distribution: At least 3 birds were recorded at Suikerbosrand NR in early to middle July 2005. These sightings constitute the first records for Gauteng of this high-altitude endemic that was believed to be restricted to the escarpment regions in Mpumalanga, E Free State, KZN, Lesotho and the Eastern Cape.

 

Gaps in Knowledge: It is still unclear whether the occurrence of this species in Gauteng is an annual occurrence. If so, the numbers and locations of wintering birds should be carefully documented. Little is known about the preferred non-breeding habitat, but apparently suitable habitat is widespread in the S and E of the PCC region – such areas might harbour larger numbers. Birds in non-breeding plumage closely resemble other Motacillidae – for identification pointers see the website cited below.

 

Habitat: The Suikerbosrand birds were foraging on a firebreak next to a dirt road, in the recently acquired lower-lying section of Suikerbosrand. When disturbed the birds often retreated into taller adjacent patches of grass. Habitat shared with Pink-billed Lark, Spizocorys conirostris.

 

Status and movements: Breeding occurs in midsummer, after which some birds descend to spend the non-br. season at lower altitudes. The extent and destinations of such movements are not known, emphasizing the importance of the Suikerbosrand records in our understanding of this species.

 

Population: At least 3 birds were present, but the habitat in which they were encountered did not seem noticeably unique or unusual, and there is a strong possibility that this species is widely overlooked. If this is the case, it might be an annual visitor to the PCC region, as well as the mid-altitude grasslands between Gauteng and the nearest populations at Dullstroom, Wakkerstroom and Memel. A global population of 2500 – 6500 birds was estimated by Barnes (2000).

 

Conservation: This species is listed as Vulnerable and is threatened by overgrazing, agriculture, changes in fire regime and overall habitat loss and fragmentation (Barnes 2000).

 

References:

             Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.

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