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White-throated Robin-Chat - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 05:20, 1 December 2008 by AlanManson-37216 (talk | contribs) (subheadings)
Photo by rudydbn
Location: 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.

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.

Vocalization

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

Breeding

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

  1. Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533

Recommended Citation

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