Cape Grassbird

Overview

The Cape grassbird, or Cape grass warbler, is an African warbler found in southern Africa. It is the only species placed in the genus Sphenoeacus.

Identification

• Length 19–23 cm with a rufous crown and face sides featuring white around the eye.
• Black malar and moustachial stripes on a white throat.
• Brown upperparts with heavy streaking and a long, lighter brown tail.
• Song is jangling and musical; call is a nasal pheeeo.

Habitat

Breeds in southern Africa, including South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, and an isolated population in eastern Zimbabwe. It inhabits coastal and mountain fynbos, as well as long, rank grass on mountain slopes or in river valleys.

Diet

The bird forages for insects and other small invertebrates. It is usually seen alone or in pairs moving through vegetation to feed.

Did you know?

The Cape grassbird is monogamous, pairing for life, and its eggs have one of the slowest rates of embryonic development amongst Southern African species.