- Cossypha humeralis
Dessonornis humeralis
Identification
Length 16-18 cm, mass 20-29 g. Adult: The upperparts are mostly slate-grey, with the rump being orange. The face and neck are black, and the eyebrow is white. The wings are black with a white stripe. The underparts are mainly white with orange-buff on the flanks and undertail. The tail is orange with a black centre and black tip. Immature: Spotted buff and dark brown.
Distribution
North-eastern South Africa, eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Recent results indicate that this species does not belong in genus Cossypha. It might instead be placed in Bessonornis, Dessonornis or even Caffrornis. The Opus awaits clarification before acting on this.
Habitat
Thickets, riverine bush, dense woodland and gardens.
Behaviour
Solitary or in pairs. The White-throated Robin Chat usually keeps to dense cover, where it forages on the ground for insects and other invertebrates. Fruit is also eaten.
Vocalisation
An accomplished mimic, incorporating the calls of many other birds into its high-pitched, warbling song.
Breeding
These birds breed from September to December; nests are made in a concealed position on the ground and two to three eggs are laid.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2022. IOC World Bird List (v 12.2) DRAFT. Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.12.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
- Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White-throated Robin-Chat. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-throated_Robin-Chat
External Links
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