The striped pipit (Anthus lineiventris) is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae, which is native to Africa southwards of the equator.

Striped pipit
The nominate subspecies in Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, Gauteng
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Anthus
Species:
A. lineiventris
Binomial name
Anthus lineiventris
Sundevall, 1850

Range and habitat edit

It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, DRC, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat is rocky areas in dry to mesic savanna.[1]

Taxonomy and systematics edit

The striped pipit forms a species complex with the African rock pipit.[2]

Subspecies edit

There are two subspecies:[3]

Description edit

 
The nominate subspecies in Ithala Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal

It is a large pipit, ranging from 17 to 18 centimeters in length and weighing 31-37 grams. The wing coverts have yellow-green edges, and the underparts are olive brown with dark brown streaking.[2]

Voice edit

A loud, penetrating, thrush-like song, uttered from a rock or perch.[2]

Diet edit

It feeds on insects and other arthropods, particularly grasshoppers.[2][3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2018). "Anthus lineiventris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22718448A131983482. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22718448A131983482.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Peter (2009). Complete photographic guide Birds of Southern Africa. Struik Nature.
  3. ^ a b "Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.

External links edit