| Drakensberg rockjumper | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Chaetopidae |
| Genus: | Chaetops |
| Species: | C. aurantius
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chaetops aurantius Layard, 1867
| |
| |
| General range: the Drakensberg alti-montane grasslands | |
The Drakensberg rockjumper or orange-breasted rockjumper (Chaetops aurantius) is a medium-sized insectivorous passerine bird endemic to the alpine grasslands and rock outcrops of the Drakensberg Mountains of southeastern South Africa and Lesotho. This taxon is closely related to the allopatric Cape rockjumper Chaetops frenatus; the two species of Chaetops are the only living members of the Chaetopidae (rockjumper family).
This rockjumper is 23–25 cm long with a long black tail and strong legs. The male has a dark grey head with a thin white supercilium and a broad white moustache. The back and wings are dark grey. The underparts are orange and the rump is rufous red. The female and juvenile have a paler grey head, upperparts and wings, a duller head pattern, an orange rump, and buff underparts. The call is a loud wheeoo[citation needed]. The Cape rockjumper male has rufous red underparts, and the female and young are darker buff below than in C. aurantius.[2]
This is a ground-nesting species which forages on rocky slopes and scree. It frequently perches on rocks. Breeding is often cooperative; one or two additional individuals, usually a pair's offspring of the preceding breeding season, may assist the parents in territorial defence and alarm calling, and in the feeding of nestlings and fledglings.[3]
- ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Chaetops aurantius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22708101A118950742. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22708101A118950742.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Sinclair, Ian; Hockey, Phil; Tarboton, Warwick (2002). Sasol birds of southern Africa: the region's most comprehensive illustrated guide (3rd ed.). Cape Town: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-721-6.
- ^ Allan, D.G. (2005). "Drakensberg Rockjumper". In Hockey, P.A.R.; Dean, W.R.J.; Ryan, P.G. (eds.). Roberts Birds of Southern Africa (7th ed.). Cape Town: Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533.