longclaw

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longclaw

bird

Also known as: Macronyx

Written by Sy Montgomery

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Related Topics:: Motacillidae

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longclaw, (genus Macronyx), any of eight species of African insect-eating birds that are related to the pipits. Found on prairies and grasslands, they are surprisingly like meadowlarks (family Icteridae), which are New World birds; both are the same size and shape and have streaked brown backs, bright yellow underparts, a black V on the neck, and white tail feathers. This is a case of convergence—similar adaptations to similar ecological roles among unrelated species.