Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis)

Sometimes called the Brown-headed Bush-shrike and sometimes lumped with the Three-streaked Tchagra (T. jamesi). Tchagras are members of the Bush-Shrike family (Malaconotidae), formerly considered a subfamily of the true shrikes (Laniidae) but their similarity is apparently a consequence of convergence rather than actual relationship. They are endemic to Africa and include a number of secretive birds, usually difficult to see as they forage on or near the ground. The name Tchagra was coined by Levaillant (1800) as onomatopoeia for their calls “tch tcha tcha gra.” Up to nine races have been described. Looking at range maps in Roberts 7th I place this bird barely within the range of "T. a. damarensis" characterized by paler and grayer coloration. Perhaps that is why the crown looks gray to me rather than brown.