Grimwood's longclaw is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland.
Region
South-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in eastern Angola, southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Katanga region), and northern Zambia. It favors seasonally inundated lowland grasslands and dambos with a mosaic of sedges and tussocky grasses. Birds often use slightly elevated features such as termitaria and fence posts as song perches. It generally avoids tall closed woodland, sticking to open, wet meadows and grassy floodplains. Local movements may track the rise and fall of seasonal waters.
Altitude Range
900–1700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Grimwood's longclaw is a localized African longclaw of seasonally flooded grasslands, often perching on termite mounds or tall stems to sing. It is closely related to pipits and wagtails and is named for the notably long hind claw typical of the group. The species is sensitive to drainage and conversion of wet grasslands, so it tends to persist best where traditional flood regimes remain intact.
Temperament
shy and skulking, but conspicuous when singing from perches
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, undulating flights over grass
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, becoming territorial during the breeding season. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in dense grass tussocks, with both sexes involved in territory defense. Outside breeding, may occur in loose, scattered groups where habitat is extensive.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, sweet whistles delivered from a perch or brief display flight. Calls include sharp tsip notes and softer contact sounds given from cover.
Plumage
Streaked brown to olive-brown upperparts with paler edgings and clean, bright underparts. Throat and breast are vivid yellow marked by a contrasting black breastband and dark malar lines; belly often paler yellow to whitish. Tail shows white outer feathers visible in flight, and the hind claw is noticeably long.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates, gleaned from the ground and low vegetation. It picks prey among grass tussocks and along damp margins, occasionally sallying a short distance to snatch moving insects. Small seeds may be taken opportunistically but form a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in seasonally wet grasslands, sedge-dominated dambos, and the edges of shallow floodplains. Often seeks slightly drier patches or bare ground within the wet mosaic and frequently hunts from low perches like termitaria.
