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| + | [[Image:Cape_Wagtail.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Max+Holdt|Max Holdt}} <br /> Kleinmond, Cape, [[South Africa]], December 2004]] | ||
;[[:Category:Motacilla|Motacilla]] capensis | ;[[:Category:Motacilla|Motacilla]] capensis | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
L. 20 cm, Wt. 20 g<br /> | L. 20 cm, Wt. 20 g<br /> | ||
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*Dull olive grey | *Dull olive grey | ||
*Dull off-white below | *Dull off-white below | ||
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*White edges to wing feathers | *White edges to wing feathers | ||
*Dark grey-brown tail | *Dark grey-brown tail | ||
| − | + | [[Image:5458Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|GiGi|GiGi}}<br />Cape of Good Hope, [[South Africa]], September 2006]] | |
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Sub-Saharan [[Africa]]: [[DRC]], [[Uganda]] and [[Kenya]] in the north to southern [[South Africa]]. | Sub-Saharan [[Africa]]: [[DRC]], [[Uganda]] and [[Kenya]] in the north to southern [[South Africa]]. | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ||
''Motacilla capensis'' has three subspecies: | ''Motacilla capensis'' has three subspecies: | ||
*''M. c. simplicissima'' | *''M. c. simplicissima'' | ||
:*Southern [[DRC]], [[Zambia]], [[Angola]], Caprivi (north-eastern [[Namibia]]), northern [[Botswana]] and extreme western [[Zimbabwe]]. | :*Southern [[DRC]], [[Zambia]], [[Angola]], Caprivi (north-eastern [[Namibia]]), northern [[Botswana]] and extreme western [[Zimbabwe]]. | ||
:*Swamp-dwelling form; more olive than nominate, underparts yellowish, dark breast spot rather than breast band. | :*Swamp-dwelling form; more olive than nominate, underparts yellowish, dark breast spot rather than breast band. | ||
| + | [[Image:29534Christmas Angel 2.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|GarethH|GarethH}}<br />Strand, Western Cape, [[South Africa]], December 2005 ]] | ||
*''M. c. capensis'' | *''M. c. capensis'' | ||
:*South-western [[Angola]], [[Namibia]], southeastern [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[Swaziland]], and parts of southern [[Mozambique]]. | :*South-western [[Angola]], [[Namibia]], southeastern [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[Swaziland]], and parts of southern [[Mozambique]]. | ||
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*''M. c. wellsi'' | *''M. c. wellsi'' | ||
:*South-western [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]], eastern [[DRC]] and [[Tanzania]]. | :*South-western [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]], eastern [[DRC]] and [[Tanzania]]. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Habitat== |
| + | Almost anywhere where there is water with open ground nearby, from fynbos to forest edge and through alpine grasslands to the Namib Desert. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Gregarious | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
Usually forages by walking purposefully, picking or darting after insects. Also wades through shallow water, picking prey in or over water. Mainly insects, dead or alive, including moths, dragonflies, ants, caterpillars, beetles, mosquitoes and termites. | Usually forages by walking purposefully, picking or darting after insects. Also wades through shallow water, picking prey in or over water. Mainly insects, dead or alive, including moths, dragonflies, ants, caterpillars, beetles, mosquitoes and termites. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
Solitary nester retaining same mate for successive breeding attempts and will attack its reflection in glass or metal during breeding season. Nest has a bulky base built of grasses, weeds, roots, pine needles and seedpods. | Solitary nester retaining same mate for successive breeding attempts and will attack its reflection in glass or metal during breeding season. Nest has a bulky base built of grasses, weeds, roots, pine needles and seedpods. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}} | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Motacilla+capensis}} | {{GSearch|Motacilla+capensis}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Motacilla]] | + | <br /> |
| + | {{Video|Cape_Wagtail}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Motacilla]][[Category:Videos]] | ||
Revision as of 16:36, 9 October 2010
- Motacilla capensis
Identification
L. 20 cm, Wt. 20 g
- Dull olive grey
- Dull off-white below
- Blackish breast band
- White supercilium
- White edges to wing feathers
- Dark grey-brown tail
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa: DRC, Uganda and Kenya in the north to southern South Africa.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
Motacilla capensis has three subspecies:
- M. c. simplicissima
- M. c. capensis
- South-western Angola, Namibia, southeastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and parts of southern Mozambique.
- As described under Identification.
- M. c. wellsi
Habitat
Almost anywhere where there is water with open ground nearby, from fynbos to forest edge and through alpine grasslands to the Namib Desert.
Behaviour
Gregarious
Diet
Usually forages by walking purposefully, picking or darting after insects. Also wades through shallow water, picking prey in or over water. Mainly insects, dead or alive, including moths, dragonflies, ants, caterpillars, beetles, mosquitoes and termites.
Breeding
Solitary nester retaining same mate for successive breeding attempts and will attack its reflection in glass or metal during breeding season. Nest has a bulky base built of grasses, weeds, roots, pine needles and seedpods.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Cape Wagtail. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Cape_Wagtail
External Links
