Pangani Longclaw
Macronyx aurantiigula
The Pangani Longclaw (Macronyx aurantiigula) is a rare wagtails and pipit found in 3 countries, weighing about 39 g. The Pangani longclaw is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae, which includes the pipits and wagtails.
About the Pangani Longclaw
The Pangani longclaw is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae, which includes the pipits and wagtails. It is found in Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia. The bird's natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. Primarily insectivorous, it forages in short grasslands and wetlands, using its long claws to scratch for prey such as grasshoppers and beetles. However, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion has led to population declines.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Pangani longclaw measures around 20 cm (8 in) in length. As its species name suggests, it has a yellow-orange throat. This is bordered with a black necklace. The upperparts are mottled various shades of brown, and the belly is yellow. In immature birds, the belly is more buff than yellow and the dark breast band less distinct. The flanks are streaked black and buff. The flight is jerky. The call has been described as a high-pitched siuuweeeee, with a pitch that rises, falls then rises before fading away.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Somalia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pangani Longclaw?
- The Pangani longclaw measures around 20 cm (8 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pangani Longclaw?
- The Pangani Longclaw is a small sized bird weighing about 39 g.
- Where can you see a Pangani Longclaw?
- The Pangani Longclaw occurs in 3 countries, including Kenya and Tanzania.
- What birds look similar to a Pangani Longclaw?
- The Pangani Longclaw is most easily confused with the Fülleborn's Longclaw, the Sharpe's Longclaw and the Abyssinian Longclaw.
- Is the Pangani Longclaw endangered?
- The Pangani Longclaw is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pangani Longclaw for real
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