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Cossypha heuglini

[edit] Identification

Length 18-20 cm, mass 29-44 g. Orange underparts and tail, grey upper parts, black crown, lores and ear coverts, broad white eyebrow, dark eye, grey legs and feet.

[edit] Distribution

Africa south of Sahara, chiefly southern Sudan through East Africa, Central Africa west to Angola and south to northeastern South Africa and Mozambique.

[edit] Taxonomy

As many as seven subspecies have been described², but Clements¹ recognises three:

• C. h. heuglini
• C. h. subrufescens
• C. h. intermedia

[edit] Habitat

Riverine woodland and forest, and moist savanna.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes insects, beetles and ants, caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers, and other small invertebrates. Fruits are also eaten.

Monogamous and territorial; they nest in a cavity in a tree or stump. Two to three eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for 12–17 days.

[edit] References

1. Clements JF. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2008. Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
2. Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533

[edit] External Links