Drakensberg Rockjumper

Chaetops aurantius Layard, EL, 1867

Drakensberg Rockjumper, Chaetops aurantius, is a passerine of the Drakensberg Mountains in south-eastern South Africa, where it breeds in alpine grassland and among rock outcrops. It belongs to the family Chaetopidae and was described by Layard, EL, 1867. The species is a ground-nester that feeds on rocky slopes and scree, and it often uses rocks as perches. It is closely allied to the Cape rockjumper, and the two are the only living members of their family. The male has orange underparts, while the female and juvenile are duller below.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Chaetopidae — Rockjumpers

Breeding range

Africa: e South Africa