The striped pipit (Anthus lineiventris) is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae, native to Africa south of the equator.
Taxonomy and Systematics
The striped pipit was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1850. It forms a species complex with the African rock pipit (Anthus crenatus). Two subspecies are recognized:
- Anthus lineiventris lineiventris — found in southeastern Botswana, northeastern South Africa, and western Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
- Anthus lineiventris stygium — found in western Angola, and disjunctly from northwestern and eastern Tanzania, southeastern Kenya (Taita Hills, Chyulu Hills), southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, western, eastern, and southern Zambia south to eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, northern, western, and southern Mozambique, and coastal eastern South Africa
Description
The striped pipit is a large pipit, measuring 17 to 18 centimeters in length and weighing 31 to 37 grams. The wing coverts have distinctive yellow-green edges. The underparts are olive brown with heavy dark brown streaking that extends all the way to the belly, which is a key identifying feature. The back is dark brown.
Voice
It produces a loud, penetrating, thrush-like song, typically uttered from a rock or perch. The song is described as a rollicking series of repeated notes.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is widely but locally distributed across the Afrotropics, east and south of the equatorial rainforest belt. Its range extends from the mountain ranges of southeastern Kenya and adjacent northeastern Tanzania southwest to Angola, and south through Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and eastern South Africa as far as the Eastern Cape. It prefers broadleaved woodland, particularly miombo (Brachystegia woodland), on rocky outcrops, in gorge-like situations, and alongside small woodland streams.
Diet
The striped pipit feeds on insects and other arthropods, particularly grasshoppers.
Breeding
Egg-laying occurs in spring and summer, from September to January. The species is generally encountered singly or in pairs, though small loose parties may form outside the breeding season.
Conservation Status
The striped pipit is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its population trend is considered stable. The rocky and steep nature of much of its habitat provides relative protection from agricultural development.
