African Pipit

Afrikaans name: Gewone Koester

African Pipit

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anthus cinnamomeus

This Pipit has been through a number of name changes in recent years. I first knew it as Richard's Pipit, then it became the Grassveld Pipit and it is now called the African Pipit. Even its scientific name got changed from Anthus novaeseelandiae to Anthus cinnamomeus.

No matter what you call this Pipit it is probably the most common and widely distributed Pipit in South Africa.

The African Pipit is most common in open areas of grassland and savanna. It also likes sports fields, air fields and other nicely mowed areas. When driving in game parks and nature reserves they can often be seen on the dirt roads.

Their main food is insects but they do also eat some seeds.

The African Pipit in spring or summer, depending which part of the country it is in They hide their nests in shrubs and the female lays 2 to 4 eggs. Both parents are involved in rearing the chicks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	692	Anthus richardi rufuloides
2nd	692	Anthus richardi
3rd	692	Anthus novaeseelandiae
4th	692	Anthus novaeseelandiae
5th	716	Anthus novaeseelandiae
6th	716	Anthus cinnamomeus
7th	919	Anthus cinnamomeus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	692	Tawny Pipit
2nd	692	Richard's Pipit
3rd	692	Richard's Pipit
4th	692	Richard's Pipit
5th	716	Richard's Pipit
6th	716	Grassveld Pipit
7th	919	African Pipit

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	692	Gewone-koester
2nd	692	Gewone Koester
3rd	692	Gewone Koester
4th	692	Gewone Koester
5th	716	Gewone Koester
6th	716	Gewone Koester
7th	919	Gewone Koester

References and further reading

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

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 144

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

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 60

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 40

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 291

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 386

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 12

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 13

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

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 352

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 491

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 626

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 625

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 478

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 370

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 344

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 288

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 288

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 104

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 92

Identification of the Pipits of Southern Africa - Author: Faansie Peacock - Published: 0 - Page: 6

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: 272

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 224

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 75

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

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

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 184

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 105

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 95

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 195

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 241

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 152

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 261

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds