Cape Robin-Chat

The Cape Robin-Chat is one of the best-known garden birds of southern Africa, valued for its tame nature and beautiful song. It belongs to the robin-chat group, a set of colorful African thrush relatives.

Appearance

• Grey-brown crown and cheeks with a bright orange supercilium (eyebrow stripe)
• Orange throat and breast fading to pale grey on the belly
• Olive-brown upperparts and wings
• Orange tail with dark brown central feathers, often flicked or fanned
• Sexes look alike

Key field marks

• Bold orange eyebrow stripe against a grey face
• Orange throat and breast contrasting with a grey belly
• Orange tail with dark central feathers, frequently cocked or flicked

Similar species

• White-browed Robin-Chat is larger with a bolder white (not orange) eyebrow and a black cap
• White-throated Robin-Chat has a white throat patch rather than orange
• Overall size, tame behavior around gardens, and the orange-and-grey face pattern separate it from other robin-chats

Range

Found from South Africa north through eastern Africa to parts of East Africa's highlands.

Habitat

Common in gardens, parks, forest edges, fynbos, and coastal scrub; readily adapts to suburban and rural human-altered landscapes, often coming close to houses.

Migration

Generally resident, though some highland populations may make local altitudinal movements.

Voice

A rich, melodious, warbling song delivered from cover or an open perch, often at dawn and dusk; it is also a skilled mimic, incorporating phrases of other bird species into its song. The alarm call is a harsh, scolding "wheeeur."

Feeding

Forages mostly on or near the ground, hopping through leaf litter and garden beds in search of insects, worms, and other invertebrates, and also takes berries and fruit.

Nesting and breeding

Builds a cup nest of grass, moss, and leaves in a low bush, tangle, or crevice, sometimes in garden structures; typically lays 2–3 eggs, and is a known host of the Red-chested Cuckoo.