The rosy-throated longclaw, also known as the rosy-breasted longclaw is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland.
Region
Southern and East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from coastal and lowland grasslands of South Africa north through Botswana, Namibia’s Caprivi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prefers seasonally wet or flooded grasslands, floodplains, and dambos with tall grasses. Uses edges of wetlands, moist savanna clearings, and lightly grazed or recently burned areas where grass structure remains. Avoids very dry short-grass plains and dense reedbeds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Often confused with the Orange-throated Longclaw, but shows a distinctive rosy-pink throat and breast, usually bordered by a darker band. It favors seasonally flooded grasslands and dambo wetlands, perching on termite mounds or tall tussocks to sing. The pink tones can intensify during the breeding season. Habitat drainage and overgrazing can locally impact populations by reducing suitable tall, moist grass cover.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with shallow undulations
Social Behavior
Mostly found singly or in pairs, becoming strongly territorial in the breeding season. Males perform display flights or sing from prominent perches like termite mounds or tall grass tussocks. Nests are cup-shaped and placed on or near the ground, concealed within dense grass; clutches are small and both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, tinkling series of notes delivered from a perch or during a brief fluttering display flight. Calls include soft tseep and sharp chips, especially when alarmed near the nest.
Plumage
Upperparts brown to olive-brown with heavy dark streaking; underparts with a rosy-pink throat and breast typically bordered by a narrow dark band, fading to whitish belly with a pink wash. Tail shows white outer feathers visible in flight. Feathers are sleek with a clean, contrasting breast area and streaked mantle.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, termites, ants, and caterpillars, as well as other small arthropods. Occasionally takes small snails or seeds when insect prey is scarce. Forages by walking slowly through grass, gleaning from the ground and low vegetation, and hawking short distances for flushed prey.
Preferred Environment
Tall, moist grasslands, floodplain edges, and dambos with patchy open ground for gleaning. Favours recently burned or lightly grazed sites where prey is accessible but cover remains.
