Species

Justification
This species is classified as Data Deficient owing to uncertainties regarding its population size and specific habitat requirements. It is very poorly known across much of its range, and is in need of concerted study.

Taxonomic source(s)
Dowsett, R. J.; Forbes-Watson, A. D. 1993. Checklist of birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions. Tauraco Press, Li
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.

Distribution and population
Macronyx grimwoodi is known from the south-western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), central and eastern Angola and extreme north-west Zambia (Keith et al. 1992). It is common in places in north-west Zambia (R. J. Dowsett in litt. 1999) (e.g. an estimated one pair every 300 m on Chitunta plain [P. M. Leonard per R. J. Dowsett in litt. 1999]), where no threats are known (R. J. Dowsett in litt. 1999), but its specific habitat requirements are not properly understood and there is no recent information on its population or potential threats in the core of its range in Angola or DRC (Dean 2001).

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified; it is considered locally common to common.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Ecology
It is a species of moist grassland, occurring particularly near streams, rivers, drainage lines and in grassy depressions at 800-1,500 m (Keith et al. 1992). It occupies moister habitats than the sympatric Fulleborn's Longclaw M. fuelleborni and is larger than Rosy-breasted Longclaw M. ameliae. It feeds on small beetles, weevils, grasshoppers and bugs (Keith et al. 1992).

Threats
Threats are poorly known, but may include burning and other un-favourable grassland management regimes.

Conservation actions underway
None is known.

Conservation actions proposed
Conduct surveys, particularly in D.R. Congo, to determine true range and abundance. Monitor the effect of grassland management regimes at known sites. Study its niche separation from other sympatric longclaw species. Protect large areas of suitable habitat at a number of sites across its range.

References
Keith, S.; Urban, E. K.; Fry, C. H. 1992. The birds of Africa vol. IV. Academic Press, London.

Dean, W. R. J. 2001. Angola. In: Fishpool, L.D.C.; Evans, M.I. (ed.), Important Bird Areas in Africa and associated islands: Priority sites for conservation, pp. 71-91. Pisces Publications and BirdLife International (BirdLife International Conservation Series No.11), Newbury and Cambridge, UK.

Further web sources of information
View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Mahood, S., Robertson, P., Symes, A.

Contributors
Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Dowsett, R., Leonard, P., Mills, M., Roxburgh, L.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Taylor, J.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Macronyx grimwoodi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013.

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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