- Anthus cinnamomeus
Includes: Cameroon Pipit
Identification
15 to 17 cm. Buffy-brown above with darker streaks. White or pale buff underparts, streaked breast, plain belly and flanks, boldly patterned face, pale stripe over the eye, dark malar stripe, white outer tail-feathers, long and pinkish legs, slender dark bill with a yellowish base to the lower mandible. Juvenile birds have a blotched breast, scalloping on the upperparts and some streaking on the flanks.
Distribution
This is the most common Pipit in eastern and southern Africa.
Taxonomy
More than ten subspecies recognized.
This species was formerly regarded a part of a much larger species called Anthus novaseelandiae which was split in African Pipit, Mountain Pipit, Paddyfield Pipit, Richard's Pipit and Australasian Pipit.
Some authors split camaroonensis from Cameroon as Cameroon Pipit.
Habitat
Open habitats at altitudes of up to over 3000 m, grasslands and fields.
Behaviour
It has an undulating flight and can often be seen perching on posts and bushes. On the ground it walks with a strutting gait and often holds itself very erect.
Vocalisation
The song is a repeated series of twittering notes, given during an undulating song-flight or from a low perch.
