Alternative names: Pink-throated Longclaw, Rosy-breasted Longclaw
- Macronyx ameliae
Identification
20 cm.
- Male: Olive and brown head, black bill, a scarlet throat bordered by black breast band, some reddish on underside, brown legs and a brown back. The eyes are brown.
- Female: weaker / narrower breast band than adult males but still have some pink / red on the throat.
- Juvenile: streaks across the breast and throat is pale to warm creamy
Distribution
Africa: From Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo south to South Africa.
Taxonomy
Macronyx ameliae has three subspecies: M. a. ameliae, M. a. altanus, and M. a. wintoni.
Habitat
Wet or flooded lowland grassland, close to water.
Behaviour
Diet includes butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten.
The nest is built on the ground with figs, straw and leaves, placed under a bush to protect the young from predators. 2 to 3 brown eggs are laid.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Lepage D. 2007. Avibase. Search for "Macronyx ameliae" downloaded 13 November 2007.
- Birdforum thread with discussion of juveniles and females
