Photo: Pia Öberg from Uppsala, Sweden / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Abyssinian Longclaw
Macronyx flavicollis
Abyssinian Longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Abyssinian Longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis) is a member of the Motacillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 45.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Motacillidae Wagtails, Pipits
- Genus Macronyx
- Species flavicollis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 45.1 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Abyssinian Longclaw is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Abyssinian Longclaw is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Abyssinian Longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis) belongs to the Motacillidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane w, c Ethiopia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 45.1 g, with a wing length of about 8.8 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 405,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Abyssinian Longclaw?
The Abyssinian Longclaw is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 45.1 g.
Where does the Abyssinian Longclaw live?
The Abyssinian Longclaw is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane w, c Ethiopia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Abyssinian Longclaw belong to?
The Abyssinian Longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis) belongs to the Motacillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Abyssinian Longclaw eat?
The Abyssinian Longclaw is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Abyssinian Longclaw migrate?
The Abyssinian Longclaw is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Abyssinian Longclaw endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Abyssinian Longclaw make?
1 real field recording of the Abyssinian Longclaw — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Abyssinian Longclaw's range?
The Abyssinian Longclaw has a mapped global range of about 405,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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