One of the range-restricted Sokoke specialities confined to the coastal forests of central-southern Kenya & with an outlying population in central coastal Tanzania. The main population resides in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest with a smaller population in the Shimba hills. In 2000 the estimated world population was between 10,000 & 20,000 individuals and declining. The major threat to this species is habitat loss through deforestation and forest fragmentation. Sadly the Sokoke Pipit is now officially endangered.

This is a small heavily streaked forest pipit which prefers the damp Afzelia forest where it feeds mainly in the leaf-litter. The birds we found were either single birds or pairs -the latter maintaining contact with high-pitched calls. Our birds walked briskly across the leaf-litter of the forest floor tossing leaves aside like small thrushes. On a few occasions we saw these pipits eat small snails which they deftly removed from their shells.

Sokoke Pipit is a nightmare of a bird to photograph as it tends to stick to the well-vegetated forest floor where in the dim light it is quite difficult to follow. The following images are probably only the second time this species has been photographed & though of poor quality they will hopefully give a 'feel' for this enigmatic & interesting wee pipit.