About Sphenoeacus afer (Gmelin, 1789)
Size and Weight
The Cape grassbird (Sphenoeacus afer (Gmelin, 1789)) measures 19 to 23 cm (7.5 to 9.1 in) in length and weighs 27–34 g (0.95–1.20 oz).
Head and Throat Plumage
Its crown and the sides of its face are rufous, with the exception of white plumage around the eye. It has black malar and moustachial stripes on its white throat.
Body and Tail Plumage
The upperparts are brown with heavy streaking, its long tail is a lighter brown, and the underparts are whitish with blackish spotting.
Plumage Variation by Age and Sex
Males and females have similar plumage, while juvenile individuals have a streaked cap and are duller in overall color than adults.
Vocalizations
The Cape grassbird's song is jangling and musical, and its call is a nasal pheeeo.
Distinctive Identifying Features
Its long, pointed, straggly tail, chestnut cap and facial stripes are unique identifying features of the species.
Similar Species Distinction
It is much larger than any cisticola, and its heavily streaked back and pointed tail rule out confusion with the moustached grass warbler.
Breeding Distribution
Cape grassbird breeds in southern Africa, specifically in South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland, with an isolated population located in eastern Zimbabwe.
Habitat
It is a common species found in coastal and mountain fynbos, as well as long, rank grass growing on mountain slopes or in river valleys.
