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White-throated Robin-Chat - BirdForum Opus

Photo by rudydbn
Photo taken: South Africa..
Cossypha 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.

An accomplished mimic, incorporating the calls of many other birds into its high-pitched, warbling song.

Distribution

North-eastern South Africa, eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique.

Taxonomy

Monotypic.

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.

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

Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 0620340533

External Links

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