Drakensberg rockjumper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drakensberg rockjumper |
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| Male | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chaetops
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| Species: |
aurantius
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| General range: the Drakensberg alti-montane grasslands | |
The Drakensberg rockjumper, also known as the orange-breasted rockjumper, is a special bird found only in the Drakensberg Mountains. These mountains are in southeastern South Africa and Lesotho. This medium-sized bird loves to live in the high, rocky grasslands there.
Rockjumpers are unique because they belong to their own special bird family, called Chaetopidae. The Drakensberg rockjumper is closely related to the Cape rockjumper. These two are the only living members of the rockjumper family!
Contents
Meet the Drakensberg Rockjumper
This interesting bird is about 23 to 25 centimeters long. That's about the length of a ruler! It has a long black tail and strong legs, which help it move around rocky places.
What Does a Male Rockjumper Look Like?
Male Drakensberg rockjumpers are quite striking. They have a dark grey head with a thin white stripe above their eye. This stripe is called a supercilium. They also have a wide white "moustache" on their face. Their back and wings are dark grey. But the most colorful part is their belly, which is bright orange! Their rump (the area above their tail) is a reddish-brown color.
What About Females and Young Birds?
Female and young rockjumpers look a bit different. Their heads, backs, and wings are a lighter grey. Their face patterns are not as bright as the males'. They have an orange rump, just like the males. But their bellies are a duller, creamy color instead of bright orange.
What Sound Do They Make?
If you're lucky enough to hear a Drakensberg rockjumper, you'll notice its call. It makes a loud sound that sounds like wheeoo.
Where Do Drakensberg Rockjumpers Live and How Do They Behave?
These birds are often seen on rocky slopes and areas with loose stones. They like to perch on rocks, keeping an eye on their surroundings.
Nesting and Family Life
Drakensberg rockjumpers build their nests on the ground. What's really cool about them is that they often have "cooperative breeding." This means that one or two other birds, usually young from the previous year, help the parents. They help protect their territory, warn others of danger, and even feed the baby birds in the nest. They also help feed the young birds once they leave the nest.
The Rockjumper's Family Tree
The Drakensberg rockjumper was first described in 1867 by a person named Edgar Leopold Layard. He wrote about it in his book, The Birds of South Africa. At first, people thought rockjumpers were related to thrushes.
Modern Discoveries About Rockjumpers
However, scientists have learned a lot more since then. Thanks to DNA studies, we now know that rockjumpers are not closely related to thrushes at all! They are actually quite unique. Some scientists even think they might be related to other interesting birds like the rail-babbler and the rockfowl.
Are There Two Species or One?
Some bird experts believe that the two types of rockjumpers, the Drakensberg rockjumper and the Cape rockjumper, are actually just one species with two different forms. They call this single species Chaetops frenatus. But many others still consider them two separate species.
Gallery
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A female with a caterpillar
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An immature Drakensberg rockjumper
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A copy of the original description by Layard.
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