Macronyx croceus
Yellow-throated Longclaws inhabit relatively high rainfall savannas, open woodlands, grasslands and wetlands, usually with a few scattered trees and bushes. They’re mainly insectivorous in their diet. They sleep in long grass, but are often seen perched conspicuously at the top of thin branches or termitaria. They are usually encountered in pairs, or small family groups of up to 6 birds at the end of the breeding season, which stretches through all of spring and summer. Pairs are monogamous, with the female constructing a bulky nest well hidden in or under grass tussocks. The female also assumes most of the responsibility for the incubation of the clutch of 2-4 eggs that hatch after about two weeks. The chicks leave the nest before they’re 3 weeks old.
Adults measure around 21cm in length and weigh approximately 48g.
The IUCN considers the Yellow-throated Longclaw to be of least concern. The species has a discontinuous distribution over much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to South Africa, where they are to be found along the coast from the Eastern Cape through Kwazulu-Natal to the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
DeWetsWild 
An interesting example of convergent evolution. Strikingly similar to the North American Meadowlark species.
Thanks for your contribution, David. Does the Meadowlark have similar preferences in habitat and foraging?
There’s two species of North American Meadowlark, the Eastern and the Western. Their plumage is so similar it’s easier to identify them by song. Both species like rough grasslands with occasional shrubs to perch on. They feed on insects, seeds and worms.
That sounds very much like what the Yellow-throated Longclaws prefer!
Hierdie een moet ek nog sien.
Sal duim vashou dat een daar by jul opstal kom hallo se!
Lovely birds and somehow always surprising!
They’re excellent at hiding in plain sight if they don’t want to be seen!
That’s true!
Very pretty bird. It reminds me very much of our Meadowlark.
You are quite right, Montucky – our Yellow-throated Longclaw really does look like the Meadowlark of North America – I wonder who’s impersonating who!?
Love the yellow. As you can imagine, I also love goldfinches and I’m looking forward to when it’s warm enough for them to come back. I’ll see you tomorrow for more Language Abuse. 🙂
janet
Its been a very tough winter in your part of the world; I don’t think anyone can blame you for looking forward to a beautiful, golden summer!
Voëls is darem vreeslik kwesbaar. Hoe hulle kleintjies in neste kan grootkry is ‘n wonderwerk!
Dit is so, Tina – alles van so klein soos n mier tot so groot as n leeu wil jou kleintjies opvreet!
Yellow-throated Longclaws are so handsome. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see them, so your photos are much appreciated!
It is our pleasure to introduce you to them, Hien, and thank you for visiting!
These are great photos, in my opinion little birds can be hard to photograph, these turned out really well.
You are very kind, P J B. I don’t have any idea how many “pictures” I discard for every one posted on here, but it is many!
Lovely bird, I like the colors. 🙂
Thanks, Miriam!
You’re welcome! 🙂
These birds are always special to see.
Absolutely, Anne! I think Grahamstown is a bit outside their natural range, so like us you don’t see them nearly often enough?
No, we occasionally see the Orange-throated (now called Cape) Longclaw.
That’s the Longclaw we see most of as well.
My gunsteling voëlnaam in Afrikaans…geelkeelkalkoentjie. Pragtige foto’s, Dries!
Dit is sekerlik een van ons pragtigste name vir enige lewende wese, ek stem saam Dina!
Haha, Oranjekeelkalkoentjie wen vir my!
Altwee daardie name is absoluut besonders. Die pret met geelkeelkalkoentjie, is wanneer van ons Engelse vriende dit probeer uitspreek. Dit lei tot baie pret! Daardie “g”-klank is een te veel vir hulle.
Haha. Ek kan net dink
Cool name, and beautiful bird 🙂 🙂
We agree with you on both counts, thanks Takami!
Wow! What a name!
Definitely well-deserved on both counts!
What a nice looking bird!
Agreed 100%, Lindy!
Another pretty one! I love birds with yellow colouring. We don’t have many here.
Glad you enjoyed this post so, Deb!
I love tagging along with you on your travels. I see such great nature! Thanks so much.
We’re so happy that you like spending time with us, Patti!
perched conspicuously…it would be very hard to miss this little beauty.
Most definitely so when seen from the front, Lois, but from behind that drab back is excellent camouflage!