Adult male - Mafika Lisiu Pass. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult male - Mafika Lisiu Pass. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult male - Mafika Lisiu Pass. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult male - Mafika Lisiu Pass. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult male - Mafika Lisiu Pass. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult female - Mafika Lisiu Pass. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Drakensberg Rockjumper
Chaetops aurantius- Habitat: Steep rocky montain slopes with rocky outcrops. Does not like areas with flat ground. Also prefers habitat without too many bushes.
- Diet: Insects, larvae and pupae.
- Status: Resident with some seasonal altitudinal movement.
- Calls: Song Male gives a sparrow-like chee-chee-chee. Contact and alarm calls Variations of a tree-tree-tree call.
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Similar looking:
Male only superficially resembles Cape Rockjumper but belly buff not deep cinnamon.
Female can superficially resemble a female Buff-streaked Chat from the front but back markings, chestnut rump and tail pattern are diagnostic. - Similar sounding: Very simialr to Cape Rockjumper but separated on distribution. Also resembles the call of Rufous-eared Warbler but habitat and altitude separate.
Fun facts
There are only two species of Rockjumper in the world and both are Southern African endemics. The entire family is resident in our region.
ID pitfalls
These are fairly distinctive birds. The combination of tail pattern, rump, facial pattern and habitat together with altitude should make the identification of these birds fairly easy.
Where to find one
They are very range restricted and choosing the right habitat is crucial to your search. It is also important to understand their altitudinal movements in winter and summer. In summer you will find them mainly above 2500m above sea level and they mainly stay towards the tops of mountain ranges. In winter in KZN they can drop to between 2000 and 2500m above sea level. In KZN at slightly lower altitudes, your best bet is to look for them in winter.
In Lesotho they are most common between Mafika Lisiu Pass and Khatse dam with as many as 4 pairs per square kilometer. In South Africa, you need to get to some of the high altitude spots on the Lesotho border such as Sani Pass, Witsieshoek hiking trail car park and other reserves on the edge of the Drakensberg. As mentioned, if it is summer you need to get to above 2500m above sea level to have a good chance.