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Difference between revisions of "Karoo Chat" - BirdForum Opus

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[[category:icomplete]]
 
;Cercomela schlegelii
 
;Cercomela schlegelii
[[Image:Karoo_Chat.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by <B>nkgray]]
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[[Image:Karoo_Chat.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by nkgray]]
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
The Karoo Chat, Cercomela schlegelii, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.The Karoo Chat is 16-18 cm long and weighs around 32 gm. Its upperparts are grey, but it has a rufous patch behind the eye, and the tail is black with white outer feathers. Its underparts are white, the short straight bill, legs and feet are black and the eye is dark. The sexes are similar, but the juvenile is spotted with buff and has scaly underparts. This species is paler than the similar grey form of the female Mountain Wheatear, from which it also differs in having a grey (not white) rump and completely white outer tail feathers. Its larger size and all-white outer tail feathers prevent confusion with the Tractrac or Sickle-winged Chats. The Karoo Chat has "chak-chak" and trrat-trrat calls.
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16-18 cm long and weighs around 32 gm. Grey upperparts, rufous patch behind the eye, black tail with white outer feathers. Its underparts are white, black bill, legs and feet,  dark eye. The sexes are similar, but the juvenile is spotted with buff and has scaly underparts.  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
It is a common resident breeder in southwesternmost Angola, western Namibia and western South Africa.
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Southwest [[Angola]], western [[Namibia]] and western [[South Africa]].
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
Its habitat is Karoo and desert scrub in the south, extending to the escarpment zone in the north.  
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Desert scrub.  
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
The Karoo Chat builds a cup-shaped nest of straw and leaves on the ground, usually under a bush or shrub. It lays two to four green eggs. This species is monogamous, mating for life. The Karoo Chat is usually seen singly or in pairs. It forages from the ground for insects including butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. Prey is typically taking in a short flight.
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It builds a cup-shaped nest of straw and leaves on the ground, usually under a bush or shrub. 2-4 green eggs are laid.  
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Diet includes insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. Prey is typically taking in a short flight.
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
  
 
[[Category:Birds]]
 
[[Category:Birds]]

Revision as of 19:23, 4 October 2007

Cercomela schlegelii
Photo by nkgray

Identification

16-18 cm long and weighs around 32 gm. Grey upperparts, rufous patch behind the eye, black tail with white outer feathers. Its underparts are white, black bill, legs and feet, dark eye. The sexes are similar, but the juvenile is spotted with buff and has scaly underparts.

Distribution

Southwest Angola, western Namibia and western South Africa.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Desert scrub.

Behaviour

It builds a cup-shaped nest of straw and leaves on the ground, usually under a bush or shrub. 2-4 green eggs are laid.

Diet includes insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. Prey is typically taking in a short flight.

External Links

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