(→Taxonomy: Added family classification. Added subspecies descriptions.) |
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| − | [[Image:CRC.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|nick+scarle|nick scarle}}<br />Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, [[South Africa]], September 2016]] | + | [[Image:CRC.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Subspecies ''caffra''<br />Photo © by {{user|nick+scarle|nick scarle}}<br />Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, [[South Africa]], 1 September 2016]] |
;[[:Category:Cossypha|Cossypha]] caffra | ;[[:Category:Cossypha|Cossypha]] caffra | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | [[Image:G3B6920.jpg|thumb|350px|right| | + | [[Image:G3B6920.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''iolaema''<br />Photo © by {{user|Mick+Harris|Mick Harris}}<br />Simba Farm Lodge,West Kilimanjaro, [[Tanzania]], 28 November 2017]] |
| − | Length 16-17 cm (6¼-6¾ in)<br /> | + | '''Length 16-17 cm (6¼-6¾ in)'''<br /> |
| + | ====Adult==== | ||
*Grey above | *Grey above | ||
*Black sides of face and behind eye | *Black sides of face and behind eye | ||
| Line 14: | Line 15: | ||
*Pink-grey legs and feet<br /> | *Pink-grey legs and feet<br /> | ||
Sexes similar<br /> | Sexes similar<br /> | ||
| − | + | ====Juvenile==== | |
| − | * | + | *Spotted buff-marked dark brown upperparts |
| − | * | + | *Scaled dusky underparts |
*Grey-brown breast | *Grey-brown breast | ||
| + | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| + | [[Image:2007_12_17_Cape_Robin_Chat_AlanManson.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile subspecies ''caffra''<br />Photo © by {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}} <br />Pietermaritzburg, [[South Africa]], 17 December 2007]] | ||
| + | *[[White-browed Robin-Chat]] has longer white [[Topography#Heads|supercilium]] and more extensive orange underparts. | ||
| + | *[[White-throated Robin-Chat]] has white throat and wing stripe. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | |||
[[Africa]]<br /> | [[Africa]]<br /> | ||
'''Western Africa''': found only in the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]<br /> | '''Western Africa''': found only in the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]]<br /> | ||
| Line 26: | Line 30: | ||
[[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. | + | Robin-chats were formerly classified as members of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but as first proposed by Sibley and Monroe (1991)<sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup> 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)<sup>[[#References|[3]]][[#References|[6]]]</sup>. 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>: | ||
| Line 48: | Line 52: | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | They build a cup-shaped nest from coarse vegetation, lined with animal hair and rootlets. | + | They build a cup-shaped nest from coarse vegetation, lined with animal hair and rootlets. Sometimes victim of brood parasitism by [[Red-chested Cuckoo]] |
| + | |||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
The diet includes a wide variety of insects, spiders, caterpillars invertebrates, small frogs, lizards and some fruit and other vegetable matter. | The diet includes a wide variety of insects, spiders, caterpillars invertebrates, small frogs, lizards and some fruit and other vegetable matter. | ||
| + | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| + | '''Call''' a distinctive guttural "wur-da-churr." The Afrikaans name for this species, “JAN Frederik” gives the rhythm of its call, with the end-notes run together. '''Song''' by both sexes (female usually shorter and muted) a series of repetitive melodious high pitched phrases starting with soft down-slurred whistles. Also may mimic other species. | ||
| + | ====Movements==== | ||
| + | Mainly resident with limited altitudinal movement during dry winter season. | ||
| + | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
Click on photo for larger image | Click on photo for larger image | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | Image:Cape_Robin.jpg|Photo by {{user|Charlie+M|Charlie Moores}} | + | Image:Cape_Robin.jpg|Photo © by {{user|Charlie+M|Charlie Moores}} |
<!--EDITORS: This image retained as it does not appear in the Gallery--> | <!--EDITORS: This image retained as it does not appear in the Gallery--> | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug17}}#Avibase | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug17}}#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). | #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. | #Sibley, C. G. and Monroe, B. L . 1991. ''Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World''. Yale University Press, New Haven and London. | ||
| − | #{{Ref-SinclairHockyArlott05}}#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. | + | #{{Ref-SinclairHockyArlott05}} |
| + | #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 | #Wikipedia | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
Revision as of 20:46, 28 June 2018
- Cossypha caffra
Identification
Subspecies iolaema
Photo © by Mick Harris
Simba Farm Lodge,West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, 28 November 2017
Photo © by Mick Harris
Simba Farm Lodge,West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, 28 November 2017
Length 16-17 cm (6¼-6¾ in)
Adult
- 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
- Spotted buff-marked dark brown upperparts
- Scaled dusky underparts
- Grey-brown breast
Similar Species
- White-browed Robin-Chat has longer white supercilium and more extensive orange underparts.
- White-throated Robin-Chat has white throat and wing stripe.
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)[4] 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)[3][6]. 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. Sometimes victim of brood parasitism by Red-chested Cuckoo
Diet
The diet includes a wide variety of insects, spiders, caterpillars invertebrates, small frogs, lizards and some fruit and other vegetable matter.
Vocalisation
Call a distinctive guttural "wur-da-churr." The Afrikaans name for this species, “JAN Frederik” gives the rhythm of its call, with the end-notes run together. Song by both sexes (female usually shorter and muted) a series of repetitive melodious high pitched phrases starting with soft down-slurred whistles. Also may mimic other species.
Movements
Mainly resident with limited altitudinal movement during dry winter season.
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 18 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Cape_Robin-Chat
