(genus change (Clements and IOC)) |
(new photo, sim sp) |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Length 14-15cm. It has a short tail and long legs. Bright white outer tail feathers (seen in flight only) are diagnostic. Otherwise, overall a small, drab gray bird with lighter underparts. This bird has a yellow gape which is not referred to in some books of the region. Juvenile is faintly barred above, with slight mottling on breast. | Length 14-15cm. It has a short tail and long legs. Bright white outer tail feathers (seen in flight only) are diagnostic. Otherwise, overall a small, drab gray bird with lighter underparts. This bird has a yellow gape which is not referred to in some books of the region. Juvenile is faintly barred above, with slight mottling on breast. | ||
+ | [[Image:Moorland chat kenya.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''ernesti''.<br>Photo © by {{user|THE_FERN|THE_FERN}}. Aberdares National Park [[Kenya]], November 2021]] | ||
+ | ===Similar Species=== | ||
+ | [[Familiar Chat]]: | ||
+ | * more elongate, less dumpy and often perches with a less upright stance (more horizontally) | ||
+ | * generally has less contrast between dark head and paler underparts including throat than Moorland Chat | ||
+ | * has outer tail feathers rufous instead of white | ||
+ | * tail with reddish instead of white in the tail | ||
+ | * may have a chestnut auricular patch (uniform and darker in Moorland) | ||
− | + | (Based on [[#References|[2]]] and analysis of images here and at [[#References|[3]]]) | |
− | [[ | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
North-east [[Africa]] | North-east [[Africa]] | ||
+ | |||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
− | + | Has been placed in genus ''[[:Category:Cercomela|Cercomela]]''. | |
− | + | ====Subspecies==== | |
− | + | Clements recognises the following subspecies [[#References|[1]]]: | |
+ | *''P. s. sordida'': High altitude moorlands of Ethiopia | ||
+ | *''P. s. ernesti'': highlands of extreme eastern Uganda and of western and central Kenya | ||
+ | *''P. s. olimotiensis'': High altitude moorlands of northern Tanzania (Crater Highlands) | ||
+ | *''P. s. hypospodia'': Northern Tanzania (Mt. Kilimanjaro moorlands) | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Common on high altitude (mostly above 3400m.) moors and grassland. | Common on high altitude (mostly above 3400m.) moors and grassland. | ||
− | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Line 24: | Line 35: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct22}} |
+ | #{{Ref-StevensonFanshawe20}} | ||
+ | #{{Ref-Macauley}} | ||
{{Ref}} | {{Ref}} | ||
Revision as of 05:10, 25 September 2023
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Alternative name: Alpine Chat
- Pinarochroa sordida
Cercomela sordida
Identification
Length 14-15cm. It has a short tail and long legs. Bright white outer tail feathers (seen in flight only) are diagnostic. Otherwise, overall a small, drab gray bird with lighter underparts. This bird has a yellow gape which is not referred to in some books of the region. Juvenile is faintly barred above, with slight mottling on breast.
Similar Species
- more elongate, less dumpy and often perches with a less upright stance (more horizontally)
- generally has less contrast between dark head and paler underparts including throat than Moorland Chat
- has outer tail feathers rufous instead of white
- tail with reddish instead of white in the tail
- may have a chestnut auricular patch (uniform and darker in Moorland)
(Based on [2] and analysis of images here and at [3])
Distribution
North-east Africa
Taxonomy
Has been placed in genus Cercomela.
Subspecies
Clements recognises the following subspecies [1]:
- P. s. sordida: High altitude moorlands of Ethiopia
- P. s. ernesti: highlands of extreme eastern Uganda and of western and central Kenya
- P. s. olimotiensis: High altitude moorlands of northern Tanzania (Crater Highlands)
- P. s. hypospodia: Northern Tanzania (Mt. Kilimanjaro moorlands)
Habitat
Common on high altitude (mostly above 3400m.) moors and grassland.
Behaviour
Hops along ground, with short flights to perches. Flicks tail and wings.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Stevenson, T. & J Fanshawe 2020. Birds of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi) - second edition. Helm Field Guides, Christooher Helm London. ISBN 978-1-4081-5736-7
- Macauley Library at https://www.macaulaylibrary.org
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Moorland Chat. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Moorland_Chat