- Amaurornis marginalis
Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
Identification
18–21 cm. Dark brown with white streaks on upperparts; anterior underparts pale cinnamon; rear underparts orange to reddish brown. Female (dominant sex) is more stiking than male, with blue-grey breast and belly. Juvenile duller and plainer.
Distribution
Locally in sub-Saharan Africa. Core range is Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, northern Mozambique, Zimbabwe, eastern Angola, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Uganda and southern Kenya. Isolated populations in Congo, Gabon, Cameroon and northern Nigeria.
Vagrancy
Vagrants have been recorded in other African countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Ghana. Can occur as a rare/accidental species in the Mediterranean region.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Formerly placed in the genus Aenigmatolimnas.
Habitat
Seasonally flooded grassland and marsh edges.
Behaviour
The diet includes invertebrates, small fish, and frog tadpoles; forages in grass, mud, and shallow water.
Its bowl shaped nest is made of grass or sedges and is placed in vegetation over water. 4-5 eggs are laid and incubated by the male for 17–18 days, the young are cared for by male and fledge at 28 days. There are one to three broods per season.
References
Sinclair I & Ryan P. 2003. Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0620207299
