African rock pipit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids African rock pipit |
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|---|---|
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| In eastern Lesotho | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Anthus
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| Species: |
crenatus
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The African rock pipit (also called the yellow-tufted pipit) is a small bird. Its scientific name is Anthus crenatus. These birds live in South Africa and Lesotho. You can often find them in mountains. They like places with shrubs, grasslands, and rocks, usually high up.
African rock pipits have brown and gray feathers. They have a white-gray stripe above their eye. You might also spot yellow on their wings and belly. Their loud, high-pitched call sounds like "whee-tsrreeu." This special call helps them stand out from other pipit birds. These pipits usually live for about two to three years.
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What Does the African Rock Pipit Look Like?
The African rock pipit is easy to spot by its brown and gray feathers. It has yellow marks on its stomach and wings. A grayish-white stripe above its eye helps you identify it. This bird has a dark brown beak and small, light brown legs.
African rock pipits are about 17 to 18 centimeters (7 inches) long. They weigh between 29 and 32.5 grams (about 1 ounce). Both male and female pipits look the same.
Where Do African Rock Pipits Live?
African rock pipits are native to Africa. They are mostly found in South Africa and Lesotho. Some small groups also live in the Northern Cape Province. These birds build their homes in rocky and bushy hills. They prefer to live at least 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) high. They stay in the Afrotropical region of the world.
What Do African Rock Pipits Eat?
African rock pipits mainly eat insects. Their diet includes spiders and grasshoppers. Sometimes, they also munch on seeds, plants, and berries. These birds spend most of their time on land. They tend to stay away from water. African rock pipits do not travel far. They live in one place and do not migrate with the seasons.
How Long Do African Rock Pipits Live?
African rock pipits usually live for about two to three years. Baby pipits learn to fly when they are 12 to 14 days old. They can start having their own babies when they are about one year old.
The breeding season for these birds is in November, December, and January. A female pipit lays three to four eggs at a time. The eggs hatch after about 12 to 13 days. The parents build a nest of grass under a large rock or a clump of grass. Both the mother and father feed the young pipits [1].
Why Are African Rock Pipits "Near Threatened"?
The African rock pipit is listed as "near threatened." This means their population is shrinking. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) gave them this status. While their numbers are going down, they are not yet considered an endangered species.
