(→References: Updated and expanded) |
(→Taxonomy: Added family classification. Added subspecies descriptions.) |
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[[Kenya]], [[Namibia]], [[Zambia]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], and [[Swaziland]]. | [[Kenya]], [[Namibia]], [[Zambia]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], and [[Swaziland]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
+ | Robin-chats were formerly classified as members of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but as first proposed by Sibley and Monroe (1991) are now usually recognized as members of the Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae). Some authors place this species in the genus ''Dessonornis'' following application of controversial criteria proposed by Tobias ''et al.'' (2010). This is a [[Dictionary_P-S#P|polytypic]] species. | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
There are 4-7 subspecies depending on the authority<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | There are 4-7 subspecies depending on the authority<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | ||
*''C. c. iolaema'': | *''C. c. iolaema'': | ||
:*Extreme southern [[South Sudan]], eastern [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Uganda]], and [[Kenya]] south to [[Malawi]] and northern [[Mozambique]] | :*Extreme southern [[South Sudan]], eastern [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Uganda]], and [[Kenya]] south to [[Malawi]] and northern [[Mozambique]] | ||
+ | :*Darker than nominate. | ||
*''C. c. kivuensis'': | *''C. c. kivuensis'': | ||
:*Eastern [[DRC]] (Kivu highlands) and south-western [[Uganda] | :*Eastern [[DRC]] (Kivu highlands) and south-western [[Uganda] | ||
+ | :*Like ''iolaema'' but more richly colored below. | ||
*''C. c. namaquensis'': | *''C. c. namaquensis'': | ||
:*Southern [[Namibia]] to Orange Free State and western Transvaal | :*Southern [[Namibia]] to Orange Free State and western Transvaal | ||
+ | :*Like nominate but larger with stronger [[Topography#Heads|supercilium]] | ||
*''C. c. caffra'': | *''C. c. caffra'': | ||
:*Southwestern to eastern [[South Africa]], [[Swaziland]], and [[Zimbabwe]] | :*Southwestern to eastern [[South Africa]], [[Swaziland]], and [[Zimbabwe]] | ||
+ | :*Generally paler than'' iolaema'' and ''kivuensis''; smaller than ''namaquensis''. | ||
The subspecies ''drakensbergi'' and ''vespera'' along with ''ardens'' are generally considered invalid<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. | The subspecies ''drakensbergi'' and ''vespera'' along with ''ardens'' are generally considered invalid<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. | ||
+ | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Forest edges, bushveld, scrub and fynbos, gardens and parks. | Forest edges, bushveld, scrub and fynbos, gardens and parks. |
Revision as of 10:09, 28 June 2018
- Cossypha caffra
Identification
Length 16-17 cm (6¼-6¾ in)
- Grey above
- Black sides of face and behind eye
- White supercilium
- Orange chin, throat, central breast, rump, under-tail coverts and outer tail feathers
- Grey-brown central tail feathers
- Pale grey belly
- Black, down curved bill
- Brown iris
- Pink-grey legs and feet
Sexes similar
Juvenile
- Buff-marked dark brown upperparts
- Buff underparts
- Grey-brown breast
Distribution
Africa
Western Africa: found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Eastern Africa: South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi
Southern Africa: Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho and Swaziland
Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
Taxonomy
Robin-chats were formerly classified as members of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but as first proposed by Sibley and Monroe (1991) are now usually recognized as members of the Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae). Some authors place this species in the genus Dessonornis following application of controversial criteria proposed by Tobias et al. (2010). This is a polytypic species.
Subspecies
There are 4-7 subspecies depending on the authority[1]:
- C. c. iolaema:
- Extreme southern South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya south to Malawi and northern Mozambique
- Darker than nominate.
- C. c. kivuensis:
- Eastern DRC (Kivu highlands) and south-western [[Uganda]
- Like iolaema but more richly colored below.
- C. c. namaquensis:
- Southern Namibia to Orange Free State and western Transvaal
- Like nominate but larger with stronger supercilium
- C. c. caffra:
- Southwestern to eastern South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe
- Generally paler than iolaema and kivuensis; smaller than namaquensis.
The subspecies drakensbergi and vespera along with ardens are generally considered invalid[2].
Habitat
Forest edges, bushveld, scrub and fynbos, gardens and parks.
Behaviour
Breeding
They build a cup-shaped nest from coarse vegetation, lined with animal hair and rootlets.
Diet
The diet includes a wide variety of insects, spiders, caterpillars invertebrates, small frogs, lizards and some fruit and other vegetable matter.
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Photo by Charlie Moores
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Collar, N. (2018). Cape Robin-chat (Dessonornis caffer). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/58442 on 24 June 2018).
- Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L . 1991. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press, New Haven and London.
- Sinclair, I., Hockey, P.A.R., and Arlott, N. (2005). The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 978-1775840992
- Tobias, J. A., Seddon, N., Spottiswoode, C. N., Pilgrim, J. D., Fishpool, L. D. C. and Collar, N. J. 2010. Quantitative criteria for species delimitation. Ibis 152: 724–746.
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Cape Robin-Chat. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Cape_Robin-Chat