Cape Longclaw / Orange-throated Longclaw

Afrikaans name: Oranjekeelkalkoentjie

The Cape Longclaw used to be called the Orange-throated Longclaw

Photo © Steven Herbert

Macronyx capensis

Many people know this bird by its older name of Orange-throated Longclaw. Longclaws are related to pipits and wagtails.

The Cape Longclaw is endemic to southern Africa. It occurs across most of the eastern and southern regions of South Africa and in the higher areas of Zimbabwe.

This species is found in grassland at a variety of altitudes but normally near water. The bright orange throat is not always so easy to spot as the bird has a habit of keeping its drab brown back pointed in your direction.

The female is a bit plainer with a yellowish-orange throat.

Photo © Steven Herbert

The Cape Longclaw feeds on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers and termite alates which it finds by patrolling the grassland, often in pairs. They also eat seeds.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	703	Macronyx capensis capensis
2nd	703	Macronyx capensis
3rd	703	Macronyx capensis
4th	703	Macronyx capensis
5th	727	Macronyx capensis
6th	727	Macronyx capensis
7th	914	Macronyx capensis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	703	Cape Longclaw
2nd	703	Cape Longclaw
3rd	703	Orange Throated Longclaw
4th	703	Orange-throated Longclaw
5th	727	Orangethroated Longclaw
6th	727	Orangethroated Longclaw
7th	914	Cape Longclaw

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	703	Kalkoentjie
2nd	703	Kalkoentjie
3rd	703	Kalkoentjie
4th	703	Kalkoentjie
5th	727	Oranjekeelkalkoentjie
6th	727	Oranjekeelkalkoentjie
7th	914	Oranjekeelkalkoentjie

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 59

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 142

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 296

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 61

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 51

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 121

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 382

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 83

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 498

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 637

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 635

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 356

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 487

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 290

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 290

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 342

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 375

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 93

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 198

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 186

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 276

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 413

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 36

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 107

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 228

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 76

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 96

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 245

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 98

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 263

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 196

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 78

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 78

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds