Bushveld Pipit Anthus caffer
South Africa, December 2006

The small and unobtrusive Bushveld Pipit is an African endemic found from south-central Ethiopia down through the savanna biomes to Zimbabwe and south-west South Africa. Usually found in pairs, the species responds enthusiastically to the call of the Pearl-spotted Owl when the distinctive, soft, and unpipit-like “tzeet” call the pipit gives will usually be the first indication that the species is present. Once alerted or disturbed the Bushveld Pipit typically flies onto a bare branch where it will warily watch for any threat - which is exactly how the bird in the images below was photographed.

Typically found in both acacia and broad-leaved woodlands, this bird was was part of a pair that appears to be very site-faithful to an area of broad-leaved woodland in a rocky area of the Mabusa NP, north of Pretoria (photo above).

For a longer discussion of this particular individual, written by pipit guru Faansie Peacock (author of the fantastic “Pipits of Southern Africa”) please go to the bottom of the page.

 

 

 

 

 

Faansie Peacock, March 2007:
“This individual shows some classic Bushveld Pipit features that are easy to see in the field but apparently difficult to appreciate in photographs.

Firstly, the bold white eye-ring is characteristic and seems to be absent (or duller) in larger Anthus species. What is also interesting is the bird’s virtual lack of any pale facial markings. The supercilium is hardly discernable and is limited to a small buffy area in front of the eye. Furthermore, the ear-coverts are densely speckled in black which extends without interruption to the hind-neck and most of the side of the head. The malar stripe is really absent, but a few spots on the side of the throat might pass as a malar stripe of sorts. The mantle is typical of the species, with darker and quite intricate markings on a golden-brown background. The wing-coverts seem to be adult, and I don’t see any obvious evidence that this bird is juvenile or first calendar year, but in these small pipits ageing can be tricky.

Clearly, the two outer rectrices are still growing after annual moult and at least some of the secondaries also seem to be growing. It’s quite interesting to see that the third and second tertials are spaced so close together - these are usually placed further apart, even in the ‘Large pipits’ (but see comments in Pipits of southern Africa). However, because the feathers are actively growing it could just be a temporary feature.
The short, curved hind-claws (indicative of a semi-arboreal lifestyle) are portrayed very well…and it is interesting that the claws are the same colour as the legs and toes.”

All photos copyright Charlie Moores