Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Yellow-Throated Longclaw

IN this week’s edition, we feature a species that is only found in the few remaining grasslands in our area, the Yellow-Throated Longclaw.

Also read: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Giant Kingfisher

Description

The Yellow-Throated Longclaw is one of two species of longclaw found in our area, the other being the Cape Longclaw. Although very similar in appearance, they can be easily distinguished from the Cape Longclaw, which has a bright orange throat, whereas, as the name implies, the Yellow-Throated Longclaw has a yellow throat. Both male and females are very similar in appearance. This bird is approximately 21cm long and weighs approximately 48g. The Yellow-Throated Longclaw has a bright yellow throat and chest with a distinctive black collar. The back and wing feathers are olive brown with streaks.

Distribution

This species is found only on the moist eastern parts of South Africa from East London northwards to the northern parts of Kruger National Park.

Habitat

The Yellow-Throated Longclaw is only found in grasslands in relatively high, good rainfall areas and on the edges of wetlands. They do enjoy grasslands, which include some trees for perching.

Feeding

The Yellow-Throated Longclaw feeds almost exclusively on insects which are found in grasslands, such as grasshoppers, ants, mantids and beetles. Feeding is mainly done on the ground, but it will occasionally hawk insects in the air or from grass fronds.

Breeding

The Yellow-Throated Longclaw is a monogamous species and pairs for life. The nest is built by the female in grasslands just above the ground. Egg-laying occurs mainly between November and January when the female will lay up to four eggs, which take approximately two weeks to hatch.

Predators and threats

This species is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and population numbers are stable. Unfortunately, in our area, our grasslands are under severe threat so there is a high likelihood of habitat loss. As they are insect eaters, they are also vulnerable to pesticides used in agriculture.

Local information

You will need to walk our local grasslands to find this species. It is often on the ground and will fly off when disturbed, but fortunately, it will perch on a nearby tree and pose for photographs. The grasslands of Krantzkloof, Springside Nature Reserve and the Msinsi Grasslands are good local places to find this bird. If you walk with your dogs in a grassland, please do keep the dogs on a leash as the nestlings (as well as other grassland birds, such as Spurfowl and Nightjars) are vulnerable to dogs rampaging through grasslands.

Interesting facts

The name ‘longclaw’ is derived from the unusually long toes these birds have with the hind claw being particularly long.

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